Adopted Prisoner of Conscience - ABDURAZZAK SHAMSEDEN

Photograph of ABDURAZZAK SHAMSEDEN (85K)

Location of ABDURAZZAK SHAMSEDEN (82K)

Abdurazzak Shamseden is a farmer and wood worker from Kepekyuzi village, near Gulja (known in Chinese as Yining) in the Ili prefecture

On 18th April 1998 there was an incident, not publicly reported by official sources, in Hudiyaryuze village at which six Uighur youths were killed. According to unofficial sources, several trucks of armed police and soldiers arrived and surrounded a farmer's house where the six youths were. Some of them, all aged in their early 20s, had allegedly collected guns and were sought by police for their suspected involvement in clandestine opposition activities. Amnesty International does not know the circumstances in which they were shot dead by the security forces.

Following the incident, the security forces carried out large-scale arrests in the area, detaining scores of villagers, including relatives, friends and neighbours of the youths. According to unofficial sources, most of those detained had no connection with the youths' activities. They were reportedly severely tortured in detention. Some were released after a few weeks or months. Others are still being held incommunicado and without charge. It is feared that they may have been subjected to torture and that they may still be at risk of torture or other ill treatment.

Abdurazzak Shamseden was one of those arrested following the incident.

His relation to one of the youths killed (his nephew) is believed to be the only reason for his detention.

Abdurazzak Shamseden is not known to have been involved in political activities.

Abdurazzak was 28 years old when he was arrested. Described as a "quiet" man, he was about to be married.

He is still being detained but he is not known to have been charged or tried.

He is being held in Gulja (Yining) city jail in Yengi Hayat district of the Ili prefecture. This is close to the border with Kazakhstan.

Amongst the scores of others reportedly detained following the incident were these farmers from Kepekyuzi:

·        Abduhalik Abdureshit,

·        Abdulhekim Abdulletip,

·        Hudiyumberdi Begzad,

·        Elyas Jalal,

·        Jur’at Nuri,

·        Nurmuhammat Yarmuhammad, and

·        Saydulla Kurban.

Amnesty International is calling on the authorities to disclose the whereabouts and legal status of Abdurazzak Shamseden and others detained in connection with the incident on 18th April 1998 and, unless they have been charged with offences which are recognisably criminal by international standards, to release them immediately and unconditionally.