Rukeya Huojia, a teacher of School of Politics and Law, Xinjiang Normal University

My name is Rukeya Huojia, a teacher of Xinjiang Normal University. In recent days, I saw on the news that before leaving office, Mr. Pompeo, the former US Secretary of State still hymned his hackneyed tunes without remorse, cooked up “human rights issues” of Xinjiang Uygurs, falsely accused Xinjiang of “committing crimes against humanity” and “carrying out genocide” against Uygurs and other ethnic and religious minorities. This kind of reckless and crazy practice is to discredit China’s policy on ethnic minorities and religion, and defame China’s international image. However, this kind of lies full of fallacies can never replace the truth and change the fact that people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang live a happy life.

I am a Uygur woman. Like thousands of female compatriots, I am a beneficiary of the national policy on ethnic minority. I have two elder brothers, one elder sister and one younger sister. Under the education policy of the state, we five siblings have equally enjoyed the opportunity to receive higher education. Through my own effort, I have finished university study and obtained master’s degree and become an intellectual and legal worker. I met my husband and we fell in love with each other and got married. Now, I have a happy family. In the past 20 years, we have worked together and supported each other, living a peaceful and happy life. My daughter is a college student, enjoying her happy and sunny university life. There are many examples like mine in Xinjiang. As a beneficiary and witness of Xinjiang’s favorable policies on ethnic minorities, I can safely say that what Pompeo said is totally inconsistent with the actual life and personal experience of Uygurs in Xinjiang. His lies hurt us.

In recent years, great changes have taken place in the lives of women of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, including Uygur people. Women’s health, education and employment have been greatly improved. Women’s rights have been strongly protected in law, policy and social practice. Along with this, the social status of Uygur women has been greatly improved. A large number of outstanding scientists, writers and artists have emerged out of us women. They enjoy civil rights including voting and participating in political deliberation. They also hold important positions in government departments at all levels and in all walks of life. “Women can hold up half of sky”. More and more women are playing an important role in employment in all walks of life. All above is apparently known to all and does not need to be further confirmed at all.

My major is law, and my research field is the protection of women’s rights and interests. Over the years, I have been to many places in Xinjiang to popularize legal knowledge for local women, telling them that the country has a perfect legal system to protect the rights and interests of all women, and teaching them to protect themselves with the law and stay away from extremism. However, in the past years, poisoned by extremism, some women became victims of the extremism and lost their personal freedom, some lost their families and children, and finally lost everything. With the unremitting efforts of Xinjiang, great changes have taken place in the quality of life and mental outlook of Uygur women in recent years, and the rights and interests given to women by the state law have also been more effectively protected. Many rural women have learned professional skills, walked out of their home and countryside, embarking on the road of employment and rushing to their own happy life.

As a Uygur proverb goes, the barking of dogs can’t stop the caravan from moving on. Pompeo seems to be in a delusion to cover up and distort these facts with his bark. It is a typical slandering and falsification, more vicious than it is. I just want to say that it is naive and stupid to use such malicious hype to achieve the purpose of discrediting China and instigating dissension. Xinjiang people are the only ones who have the most say in everything in Xinjiang. No one is allowed to slander China and Xinjiang!