Beijing: People who follow Islam but are “poisoned by extremism, terrorism and separatism” or are in contact with overseas terror groups or act in a conservative Islamic manner in a Chinese town have been ordered to confess to their “crimes” in 30 days. They are promised to be treated leniently and might avoid punishment, Hami city government in China’s far-western Xinjiang region has said.
Among the crimes that are needed to be reported are calling on people to live entirely in accordance with the Koran, campaigning against television, or for banning alcohol, smoking and dancing at weddings. Openly destroying, rejecting or thwarting the government identification system, as well as rejecting government provided housing, subsidies and cigarettes or booze as being forbidden are also considered crimes.
“All individuals involved in terrorist crimes are urged to surrender themselves to the judicial organs within 30 days and to confess and hand over the facts of your crime,” said the notice.
Activists, academics and foreign governments have been criticising China over mass detentions and strict surveillance of the Muslim Uighur minority and other ethnic groups in Xinjiang.
