The other day, I spoke with a compatriot who lives in China, who asked what I had against the “actor” Tuniyaz. His use of the word “actor” was sarcastic. When I said I did not understand, he asked: “Do the British not appreciate the arts? What would happen with one more show in London? Do British lawmakers not appreciate actors?”
At this point, I realized he was referring to Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Chairman Erkin Tuniyaz and his canceled visit to the UK.
Tuniyaz performed in a “theatrical production” at the UN in 2019, orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As the keynote speaker, he had announced the closure of camps that China had long denied even existed and later said were “vocational training centers.”
He also said at the time that “all trainees of these facilities will have graduated by October 2019.”
The camps were not closed. They were turned into prisons. More than 3 million Uighurs who had been detained indefinitely were sentenced to imprisonment without trial. This is how the CCP protected itself from international criticism, by changing the Uighurs’ illegal detention to “legal” detention. The name of the camps had changed, not the reality.
Tuniyaz described the situation further during his staged production by insisting that all the trainees had stable jobs and lived normal lives.
In reality, millions of families were torn apart by incarceration in the camps. For three years, an entire nation was held hostage.
The birthrate of Uighurs declined vertically in Hotan and Kashgar. Tuniyaz made this hell out to be heaven, waxing lyrical about unity in the regions, saying the people in Xinjiang were “united as closely as the seeds of a pomegranate.”
His predecessor, Shokret Zakir, who was appointed to the same task in Beijing, had more difficulty concealing the underlying falsity of his words. He was tense, nervous and sweaty while answering reporters’ questions.
By contrast, Tuniyaz has successfully played the role he assumed with a relaxed demeanor, never losing his composure, even on the UN stage.
According to information former president of the World Uyghur Congress Rebiya Kadeer allegedly received from an insider, Zakir was dismissed because he did not fulfill his historical duties well; he could not play the game and could not convincingly suggest that the camps in Xinjiang were closed.
Tuniyaz was promoted to chairman for fulfilling this role beyond China’s expectations.
Given that Tuniyaz only studied at a college level, was not a prominent figure before 2017 and had no major public involvement before speaking at the UN meeting, it seems that the above speculation is not unfounded.
Of course, his role in the establishment and management of concentration camps was also prominent, but he was not alone in this project of the century.
The uniqueness of his role, with the testimony of his ethnic identity in defense of the camps, is one of the most important tools of the Uighur genocide.
Puppets are known for their soft necks and obedience to Chinese authorities and, conversely, for their stubbornness, arrogance and brutality toward Uighurs.
Therefore, Uighurs see these puppet officials as traitors. Since these views are general and uncontroversial, there are no critical articles or books written about them — only sarcastic nicknames are given.
For example, former Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region chairman Tomur Dawamet was nicknamed “Tomur Texse.” Texse means “iron plate.” This nickname refers to the term “platter bearer,” which refers to sycophants in Uighur. His successor, Ablet Abdurishut, is called “Ablet Omaq.” Omaq, meaning “cute,” refers to babies who always smile and do not upset their parents. He was given this nickname because of his record of not complaining about any unreasonable demands or orders from the Chinese.
The next chairman, Ismail Tiliwaldi is called “Ismail Beqiwaldi,” which means “to be adopted” by Chinese authorities. His successor, Nur Bekri, is referred to as “Wang Bekri” because he did not stray an inch from former Xinjiang CCP secretary Wang Lequan’s (王樂泉) line at any time.
Zakir’s surname, being incompletely pronounced as shokret za (“coal dust”), means that he is unnecessary and useless for Uighur society.
Prior to 2017, while serving in Hotan and elsewhere, Tuniyaz was known for his shyness with Chinese officials. He was nicknamed “slave Tuniyaz” at that time, mocking that this attitude contradicted his real name, Erkin (“freedom”). In the past few years, his nickname has changed to “Ertis Tuniyaz” due to his role in the UN. Ertis in Uighur comes from the term “artist” in English and also means “actor.”
Therefore, British lawmakers’ attempt to block Tuniyaz’s visit to the UK and the US’ sanctions against him are a true representation of the voice of Uighurs and a sign of genuine sympathy for their suffering. It is a fitting slap in the face of anyone who supports the oppressor who covers up Uighur genocide and all crimes against humanity.
Kok Bayraq is a Uighur-American observer.
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