Hana Young, Deputy Regional Director for Amnesty International, responded to widespread protests that were unprecedented in recent years by saying,”the tragedy of the Urumqi fire has inspired remarkable bravery across China. Peaceful protesters are holding blank pieces of paper, chanting slogans, and engaging in many forms of creative dissent. It is virtually impossible for people in China to protest peacefully without facing harassment and prosecution. Authorities have shown zero tolerance to opposition especially in the last 10 years under President Xi, but this has not stopped the protests.”
“Instead of penalising the people, the government should listen to their calls. Authorities must let people express their thoughts freely and protest peacefully without fear of retaliation.”
“Unfortunately, China’s playbook is all too predictable. Censorship and surveillance will continue, and we will most likely see police use of force and mass arrests of protesters in the coming hours and days. Long prison sentences against peaceful protesters are also to be expected.”
“People have been incredibly patient with lockdown measures but authorities must not abuse emergency policies. These unprecedented protests show that people are at the end of their tolerance for excessive Covid-19 restrictions.”
“The Chinese government must immediately review its Covid-19 policies to ensure that they are proportionate and time-bound. All quarantine measures that pose threats to personal safety and unnecessarily restrict freedom of movement must be suspended.”
“The government also needs to promptly, effectively and thoroughly investigate the Urumqi fire, to avoid a reoccurrence, bring justice to the victims and their families, and show the people they are responsive to their grievances.”
According to government sources, a fire broke out in an apartment building in Urumqi on Thursday, November 24. At least 10 people were killed. However, local authorities have refuted this claim. Many have attributed the deaths to Covid-19 restrictions. The capital of the western region of Xinjiang, Urumqi, nonetheless saw protests start up despite this. Following more than 100 days of harsh restrictions on residents’ freedom of movement, the authorities announced the following morning that the Covid outbreak is under control and the city will ease lockdowns.
Videos posted to social media since November 25 show protests erupting at universities and in cities across China, including Beijing, Guangdong, Shanghai, and Wuhan. The Urumqi fire victims were remembered by peaceful protesters, who also demanded a relaxation of the lockdown restrictions. However, a lot of people asked that censorship to end, and some even urged President Xi to resign.
According to government sources, Urumqi police detained at least one woman for “spreading rumours.” According to online sources, numerous people were detained on Urumqi Road in Shanghai that evening on November 26.Protests still continue.
