Tahir Imin: Uyghur Scholar and Human Rights Advocate;
Biography:
Tahir Imin is a prominent Uyghur human rights advocate, political science scholar, and founder of Uyghur Times and the Uyghur Freedom Institute. A former political prisoner (2005–2007), he has devoted his life to defending Uyghur identity, exposing China’s ongoing repression, and empowering his community through media, research, and education.
After Tahir fled China in 2017 due to state threats, his wife was forced to divorce him and his young daughter coerced into publicly denouncing him—part of a broader campaign of collective punishment by the Chinese authorities. In retaliation for his advocacy work in the United States, the Chinese government imprisoned 28 members of his family, including his mother Turahan, brother Adil, and sister-in-law Patigul, sentencing them to terms of 10 to 15 years.
Exile and Family Tragedy:
In 2017, Tahir left his homeland to study at Haifa University in Israel, just before China launched its mass internment campaign against Uyghurs. After facing threats from Chinese authorities, he relocated to the United States in July 2017. The cost of his advocacy has been deeply personal—his wife divorced him under fear of persecution, and over 30 of his family members have been detained or imprisoned. His mother, Turahan; brothers, Adil and Tursun; and sister-in-law, Patigul, were each sentenced to 10–15 years. He has lost all contact with his extended family, including his then-six-year-old daughter, Banu.
Life in China:
Before his exile, Tahir was a well-known entrepreneur and cultural leader. As Executive Director of Xinjiang Ozturk International and 30 Oghul Business Investment, he launched several groundbreaking initiatives between 2011–2016, including:
- Uyghur Women Graduate Scholarship
- Uyghur Knowledge Forum
- Uyghur Youth Business Association
These programs supported Uyghur women’s education, youth entrepreneurship, and cultural dialogue, earning widespread praise and coverage from Chinese state media such as People’s Daily, Xinjiang Daily, and Urumqi TV. In 2012, he was voted the second most influential Uyghur youth in a community poll organized by Uyghur websites and businesses.
Cultural Contributions: Uyghur Doppa Cultural Festival
In 2009, Tahir initiated the Uyghur Doppa Cultural Festival to celebrate Uyghur identity. Held on May 5 each year, it has grown into a beloved tradition observed by Uyghurs worldwide.
Imprisonment:
Tahir has been arrested twice for his advocacy:
- 2000: Detained for 7 months in Poskam County while a student at Xinjiang University.
- 2005–2007: Imprisoned for publishing the article “The Uyghur Culture in Danger.” He spent 14 months in the Urumqi Tianshan Detention Center and 10 months in the Xihu Reeducation Camp.
Education:
- B.A. in Uyghur Language and Literature, Xinjiang University (2012)
- Hebrew Language Studies, Haifa University, Israel (2017)
- Certificate in Open Source Investigation, UC Berkeley Human Rights Center
Advocacy and Public Engagement:
Since arriving in the U.S., Tahir has collaborated with groups like the Uyghur Human Rights Project, Uyghur American Association, and International Uyghur Human Rights and Democracy Foundation. He educates and mobilizes Uyghur diaspora communities, urging collective action for justice and freedom.
Media Presence:
Tahir was one of the earliest Uyghurs to speak out to global media about China’s atrocities. His interviews and op-eds have appeared in:
- The New York Times (15+ articles),The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, BuzzFeed, CNBC, VOA, TRT World, and more.
He has also delivered talks at Columbia Law School, George Washington University, University of Chicago, Towson University, and SXSW.
In 2018, he launched the Watch Uyghur Forum to help international journalists access evidence and testimony about China’s crackdown—highlighting topics like forced family separation, DNA collection, and transnational repression.
Targeted by China:
In April 2021, China’s Foreign Ministry labeled Tahir a “separatist” and “East Turkistan Element” for his human rights work and accused him of helping establish Uyghur victims’ databases like shahi.biz.
Publications and Research:
Tahir’s work has been published in The Guardian, AP, and The New York Times, where he continues to raise global awareness. He is the author of several academic articles on China’s Uyghur policies and his first book, English-Uyghur Maxims, was published in 2002. His Uyghur-language books include Q&A on Uyghur Culture.
Translations and Language Work:
Tahir has translated and compiled several key works, including:
- The Selected Speeches of Barack Obama
- U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence
- Sacred Routes of Uyghur History
- Uyghur Political Documents
- Uyghur Laws and Rules
He also served as the academic translator for the international conference Commemoration of Nawayi’s 570th Birthday.
Political Views and Reformation Work:
Tahir is politically independent but firmly supports democratic values. He founded the Uyghur Reformation Movement, a public education and reform initiative promoting personal and national transformation in Uyghur society. His speeches in Uyghur on social and political renewal have become widely cited resources for Uyghur youth.
Leadership and Projects:
- Uyghur Times: A multilingual, Washington D.C.-based media platform reporting on Uyghur human rights, diaspora affairs, and Chinese policy. Its Uyghur, Turkish, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, and English editions are widely followed.
- Uyghur Freedom Institute: An independent research and advocacy organization supporting Uyghur self-determination, cultural revival, and freedom through education, publications, and community projects.
Major initiatives include:- Tupraq Online Literature Magazine (www.tupraq.com)
- Uyghur Mother Tongue Information Center (www.anatil.org)
- Uyghur Victims Database (www.uyghurvictims.org)
- CCP Studies (www.ccpstudies.org)
Community Roles:
Tahir also serves as an advisor to the Jewish Movement for Uyghur Freedom, promoting interfaith solidarity and collective advocacy.