China Renames Uyghur Villages to Reflect Communist Ideology, Rights Groups Report
According to a new report from Human Rights Watch, China has systematically changed the names of around 630 villages in Xinjiang, home to the Uighur minority, to resonate with the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party. The villages’ names, with religious and cultural significance for Uighurs, have been replaced with names like Happiness, Unity, and Harmony.
The report revealed that the name changes took place between 2017 and 2019, coinciding with the height of the crackdown on Uighurs in Xinjiang. This included removing references to Uighur history and cultural practices, erasing the region’s identity.
The impact of these name changes goes beyond symbolic, with Uighur residents facing difficulties due to altered village names. The report also highlighted other alleged abuses against Uighurs, including forced sterilization and family separation.
Despite international condemnation, China defends its policies in Xinjiang as necessary measures to combat extremism. Human rights groups and activists continue to call for accountability and action from the international community to address the ongoing human rights violations in the region.