Uyghur Intellectual Rahile Dawut Receives Life Sentence from Chinese Government

Uyghur academic Rahile Dawut, who disappeared six years ago during China's crackdown in Xinjiang, has been sentenced to life in prison for promoting "splittism." Dawut's case highlights the government's campaign to assimilate China's Muslim minority and erase Uyghur culture. She is among over 300 intellectuals detained in Xinjiang. Human rights groups have accused China of committing "cultural genocide." The Chinese government claims to handle cases in accordance with the law, but Dawut's sentencing is seen as a tragedy and loss for the Uyghur people and academic freedom. The UN has previously concluded that China has committed violations that may amount to "crimes against humanity."