Adiljan Abdurihim, coordinator at the Uyghur Transitional Justice Database (UTJD), shared his personal experiences with threats and harassment from Chinese authorities already back in his 2020 article “Are We Safe in Norway?“. He describes how the families of Uyghurs in East Turkistan have been subjected to pressure and surveillance in response to their activism in Norway. These efforts include various forms of intimidation, such as attempts to silence criticism of the Chinese regime. According to Abdurihim, these threats are far from isolated incidents. Most Uyghurs living in Norway experience some form of surveillance or intimidation by the Chinese regime. This includes automated phone calls, which have been reported by several members of the Uyghur community both in Norway and abroad.
In addition, there have been reports of hacking attempts and digital harassment targeting Uyghur activists and organizations in Norway. This further highlights the scale of transnational repression carried out by Chinese authorities, even beyond their borders.
In January 2025, UTJD published the report “Confirmatory and Additional Accounts of Oppression and the Intents behind the Relaxation of Entry into East Turkistan“. The report examines China’s recent easing of travel restrictions to East Turkistan and uncovers the hidden motives behind what appears to be a more open policy.
Hitting a Trough of the Genocidal Wave? Published on January 24, 2025 ئۇيغۇرچە نۇسخىسىنى بۇ يەردىن ئېچىپ كۆرۈڭ Executive Summary Following a decade of intense systematic persecution against the Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan, the Chinese regime appears to have reduced its firepower in recent years. As the world struggled to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, China began welcoming tourists from an expanding list of countries after the introduction of its visa-free policy, a move believed to address the country’s slowing economy, deflation concerns, and image repair needs. As of December 2024, citizens from 38 countries could […]
Despite the apparent reduction in overt repression, the report reveals that serious human rights violations continue—including arbitrary detentions, cultural erasure, and forced surveillance of Uyghurs, especially those returning to visit family in the region. The report suggests that these relaxed entry measures are part of a strategic campaign by the Chinese regime to improve its international image, all while maintaining strict control over the Uyghur population both within and outside of East Turkistan.
VG, Norwegian Media has published article on 7 May, 2025 “China also surveys Norwegian children”.
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published its China Targets investigation on April 28, 2025, revealing China’s widespread efforts to suppress dissent beyond its borders. The investigation, conducted over ten months with 42 media partners, included interviews with 105 individuals across 23 countries who were targeted by Chinese authorities for criticizing the regime. These individuals include Chinese and Hong Kong dissidents, as well as members of oppressed Uyghurs and Tibetans. Adiljan Abdurihim’s story, featured in VG Article as the part of ICIJ investigation, is a powerful example of how this repression is carried out—even in a democratic country like Norway. By sharing his experiences, he sheds light on the ongoing threat posed by Chinese authorities and underscores the urgent need for international awareness and solidarity.
