“When I think of my younger brother – Maiwulani – I think of his passion for his work as an IT technician, his love for his wife and son, and all the support he has given me as his sister. But I haven’t heard from him since 2017.” 

Maiwulani Nuermaimaiti was sentenced to nine years in prison by Chinese authorities for so-called “separatist activities” in August 2017. His sister – Kiwi Fullbright Scholar Riz Nuermaimaiti – only found out about the sentencing in December 2019. 

Without regular access to a lawyer of his choice, we fear he is at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.  

Maiwulani is part of the Uyghur community. It is estimated that the Chinese government has detained up to one million Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups in “re-education camps” since 2017 — including Maiwulani.  

No evidence against him or information about his trial has ever been made public, but his family members believe that he was charged merely for having visited Turkey to study Turkish between 2012 and 2014. 

Take action to call on Chinese authorities to release Maiwulani and ensure he is not subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. 

Together we can put pressure on the authorities to release Maiwulani so that he can be reunited with his family.