The Uyghur Transitional Justice Database (UTJD) recently joined the event organised by the Scholars at Risk group at the University of Oslo to launch a campaign advocating for Rahile Dawut, a prominent Uyghur anthropologist and scholar.
Professor Rahile Dawut (راھىلە داۋۇت, 热依拉 · 达吾提), an internationally renowned expert on Uyghur folklore and cultural traditions, disappeared in 2017 following her detention by Chinese authorities. According to a source within the Chinese government, Dawut is serving a life sentence for “endangering state security.” Her case epitomizes the intense repression faced by Uyghur intellectuals and symbolizes the broader targeting of Uyghur culture and scholars in East Turkistan. Remembering and speaking out for scholars like Dawut is vital to defending human rights and preserving the knowledge these academics have contributed.
On October 28 at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, attendees gathered for an evening dedicated to the importance of human rights and academic freedom in today’s world. Organized by students from the Scholars at Risk course at the University of Oslo, the event underscored the significance of academic freedom through the stories of three scholars at risk: Marfa Rabkova from Belarus, Ahmadreza Djalali from Iran, and Rahile Dawut from East Turkistan.
The event featured a panel discussion with prominent voices from academia and human rights, who explored the critical importance of academic freedom. Interactive stands and activities engaged attendees more deeply with the cases, fostering understanding of the pressing need to protect scholars worldwide. As part of the program, UTJD presented a 3D VR model of a concentration camp in East Turkistan, offering an immersive view into the brutal conditions endured by the Uyghur people amidst ongoing human rights abuses. This collaborative effort emphasized the global challenges facing academics today and highlighted the importance of defending academic freedom—even in countries like Norway, where it can be easily taken for granted.
