WASHINGTON — Lost in much of the debate over “hostage diplomacy” after last week’s rare prisoner swap between the U.S. and China is that in addition to the three Americans, three Uyghurs were on the flight from China. The exchange highlights Beijing’s persecution of ethnic minorities prompting renewed international scrutiny.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed to VOA that the three Uyghurs were on the flight but declined to provide additional details “out of respect for their privacy.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration has continuously advocated for cases of humanitarian concern, including Uyghurs,” the spokesperson told VOA. “We are pleased that these [Uyghur] individuals are home with their families.”
Among those freed was 73-year-old Ayshem Mamut, the mother of prominent Uyghur rights advocate and Uyghur American lawyer Nury Turkel.
According to Turkel, the last time he saw his mother was 20 years ago, when she traveled to Washington for his graduation from American University.
“Her last trip to the U.S. was in the summer of 2004, when she came to D.C. with my late father for my law school graduation,” Turkel told VOA.
Turkel’s parents stayed in the U.S. for about five months before returning to China. Since then, his mother had been barred from leaving the country.
“The Chinese authorities never specifically said why my parents couldn’t leave the country,” Turkel said. “However, I believe a travel ban was imposed on my parents because of my decades-long advocacy work and my U.S. government service from 2020 to 2024.”
Turkel served as a commissioner and chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) from 2020 to 2024. In response to his advocacy for religious freedom for oppressed communities, he was sanctioned by China in 2021 and Russia in 2022.
Turkel described the reunion with his mother as a profoundly emotional moment, crediting years of persistent advocacy by individuals and institutions across multiple U.S. administrations.
“This reunion is a testament to the U.S. government’s steadfast commitment to human rights and justice for the Uyghur people,” Turkel said. “I am so proud of our country and leadership at the highest level — President [Joe] Biden, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary [Antony] Blinken and countless national security professionals invested so much time and energy over the years.”
He added that the reunion has been transformative for his mother.
“For my mother, this moment represents a rebirth of joy and humanity,” Turkel said.
“After decades apart, she can finally experience the love and laughter of her grandchildren — a connection that transcends the pain of separation and reminds us of the enduring power of family. She is profoundly grateful to those who made this reunion possible, especially Ambassador Nick Burns, whose compassionate actions reflect the best of humanity.”
Advocates push for continued U.S. action
Rayhan Asat, a fellow at the Atlantic Council and a Uyghur lawyer whose brother, Ekpar Asat, remains imprisoned in China, welcomed the release but called for continued efforts to secure freedom for other Uyghurs.
“I urge President Biden to secure Ekpar’s release and bring him home during the remainder of his presidency. His continued imprisonment sends a chilling message that participating in U.S. programs comes with grave risk,” Asat told VOA.
Ekpar Asat was sentenced to 15 years in prison after participating in a U.S.-China cultural exchange program organized by the State Department.
“As the Ambassador emphasized today, the state of U.S.-China relations hinges on the choices China makes, including its support for unjust wars. One of those choices must be to end the ongoing genocide against the Uyghur people,” Asat added.
Ferkat Jawdat, another Uyghur American advocate, expressed mixed emotions about the release. Jawdat has lobbied U.S. administrations to secure the freedom of his mother, whom he has not seen since 2006. She has been barred from leaving China for nearly two decades.
“While I’m very happy for @nuryturkel and his family’s reunion with their mother, I’m very sad that my mom was excluded from this,” he wrote. “I’ve been asking the U.S. government for years for the same when I met with former Secretary of State @mikepompeo and @SecBlinken,” Jawdat said in a tweet on social media platform X.
Turkel offered a message of hope and resilience to the global Uyghur community, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their advocacy.
“To my Uyghur communities around the world, I urge you to hold onto hope and faith,” Turkel said. “My family’s reunion is a living testament to the possibility of change, even in the face of immense challenges. Share your stories, advocate for your loved ones, and know that your voices matter.”
He emphasized that international attention and tireless efforts are making a difference.
“The world is listening, and there are people tirelessly working for justice and reconnecting families like ours,” he added. “Together, our resilience and solidarity can pave the way for others to experience similar moments of joy and relief.”
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