Up First from NPR The Sunday Story: Arresting Your Brothers and Sisters
Aug 25, 2024
Emily Feng, an NPR correspondent reporting on Uyghurs, is joined by Abdueli Ayub, a Uyghur activist in Norway, and Sabir Baghda, a businessman in Turkey. They delve into the harrowing realities of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, highlighting the complex relationships shaped by oppression. The discussion reveals the painful moral dilemmas faced by individuals who navigate silence and complicity amid state control, while exploring issues of identity and trust in the Uyghur diaspora as they connect with each other and grapple with their histories.
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Reporting Challenges
- Emily Feng highlights the challenges of reporting on Uyghur issues.
- Sources often become silent due to fear and intimidation from Chinese authorities.
The Fixer
- Sabir Baghda, a Uyghur businessman in Turkey, acts as a "fixer" for Uyghurs.
- He helps them reconnect with family in China but demands silence in return.
Visa Power
- Sabir Baghda can remarkably obtain visas for Uyghurs to return to China.
- This ability fuels rumors about his influence and connections with Chinese officials.