UHRP Insights column by Henryk Szadziewski sheds light on the alarming trend of the persecution of Uyghur senior citizens in China. The report highlights the tragic story of individuals like Abidin Ayup, a 96-year-old religious leader who died in prison without his body being returned to his family. Abidin's granddaughter recalls him as a dedicated imam who educated children in religion for three decades.

The Uyghur Human Rights Project has extensively researched the crackdown on religious leaders, including senior figures. A 2021 report by UHRP documented over 1,000 cases of detention or imprisonment of Turkic imams and religious figures, often targeted for their involvement in religious activities. Furthermore, UHRP's recent publication detailed the Chinese state's targeting of women religious leaders, emphasizing the persecution of seniors within the Uyghur community.

The persecution of Uyghur seniors is further exemplified by cases like Patihan Imin, aged 70, who received a six-year prison sentence for innocuous activities like Quranic studies and wearing traditional attire. The reports also highlighted the detention of seniors over 70 years old, with some facing sentences of 20 years or more for trivial reasons.

The article also mentions the distressing data from the Xinjiang Victims Database and Xinjiang Police Files, revealing the significant number of Uyghur and Turkic seniors in Chinese prisons and camps. The stories of individuals like Anihan Hamit and Gulnisa Eziz, who were detained in their 70s for unknown reasons and extremism respectively, underscore the harsh reality faced by senior citizens in the region.

The targeting of Uyghur intellectuals, including seniors, has been labeled as an "eliticide" by UHRP, with prominent figures like Muhammad Salih Hajim and Nurmuhammad Tohti facing grave consequences. Babur Ilchi, a UHRP colleague, highlights the government's campaign to destroy Uyghur culture and identity through the persecution of intellectuals, including seniors.

The article calls for universal standards to protect senior citizens from discriminatory actions and ageist discourses. The Principles for Older Persons outlined by the UN stress the importance of integrating seniors in society and preserving their knowledge and skills for future generations. The need for the international community to address the persecution of Uyghur seniors is emphasized, urging for greater attention from organizations like the UN to safeguard the rights of older persons globally.