Many of the world have been suddenly been drawn together regardless of what side of the abortion issue they stand on. What has united activists from all sides? The sudden brake of the story of Arzigul Tursun, a Uyghur woman living near Ghulja in East Turkestan (also known as Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China), who is currently about 6 1/2 months pregnant with her third child.When Arzigul was three months' pregnant village officials urged her to undergo an abortion, however she refused, and then left her village in fear. Once the village officials noticed Arzigul's disappearance, a group of 15 interrogated her husband Nurmemet, when he claimed not to know where Arzigul they then threatened to confiscate the family's property.
Arzigul soon returned the village, and the forced abortion was set, and her husband was forced to sign an authorization of the abortion on the 10th of this month. Arzigul escaped the hospital on the 16th, however was captured by authorizes and taken to another hospital and held under guard. Arzigul's father was forced to authorize the abortion on the 17th.
After international pressure Arzigul was thankfully released yesterday and can now go forward with her pregnancy. However the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) continues to voice its concern, as they fear that that Arzigul's family and supporters may face penal charges for extending support to her as she sought to avoid a forced abortion.
For more information on Arzigul's story and the situation of the Uyghur's please see:
Congressional Executive Commission on China
Radio Free Asia – Uyghur Woman Released, Without Forced Abortion
The Uyghur American Association
