Academic Freedom + 3D in VR

Scholars at Risk (SAR) in University Oslo will launch their campaign for Rahile Dawut. Rahile Dawut is a prominent Uyghur anthropologist and scholar, known for her extensive research on Uyghur folklore, culture, and religious traditions. A professor at Xinjiang University, she focused on documenting the rich heritage of Uyghur communities, including sacred sites, oral traditions, and cultural practices. Dawut’s work played a critical role in preserving Uyghur cultural identity amid increasing restrictions in East Turkistan (aka Xinjiang). In 2017, she disappeared after reportedly being detained by Chinese authorities, drawing international attention and concerns over the treatment of Uyghur intellectuals. Her disappearance symbolizes the broader repression faced by the Uyghur people and efforts to suppress their cultural expression.

As part of its campaign launch, the Uyghur Transitional Justice Database (UTJD) will unveil a 3D model of a concentration camp in Virtual Reality (VR). This immersive experience aims to bring greater awareness to the conditions inside the camps in East Turkistan, where Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been reportedly detained. By using VR technology, UTJD offers a powerful tool for advocacy, allowing viewers to virtually explore the camp’s environment, highlighting the harsh realities and human rights violations taking place. This initiative seeks to foster global empathy and drive action against the ongoing repression.