Surge of terrorism affects Uyghurs obtaining passports(2)

Precautionary measure

There isn't a written regulation concerning Uyghur people applying for passports, but Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic theory and policy at Minzu University of China, told the Global Times that it's something "that all officials know about and do."

He has heard about the regulation mostly from Uyghurs, but says it won't be clearly and publicly stated by officials.

Government officials usually shy away from this topic when asked to comment on the specifics.

In 2012, Exit-Entry Administration Department spokesman Lin Song refused to comment on the case of Atikem being refused a passport, but added, "Different areas might have a few differences on the requirements." He referred further questions to the police, who also refused to comment.

Xiong said the situation mostly stems from concern about terrorism, and restriction placed on obtaining passport is a method of controlling the situation.

Teng Biao, a lawyer in China, told the Global Times that legally speaking, there's a regulation in the Passport Law stating the government can deny passports to anyone it suspects will harm national security.

Xinjiang has seen many acts of terrorism. But in recent years, the attacks have also moved inland.

On March 1, Uyghur terrorists attacked passengers at the Kunming Railway Station in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan Province. Twenty-nine civilians were confirmed dead and 143 others injured.

The terrorism attacks have aroused anti-Uyghur sentiments and security has also tightened.

Li Wei, director of the Institute of Security and Arms Control Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times that there are a couple hundred Uyghurs getting terrorist training abroad and a couple have been caught.

Han said it's apparent the government were forced to restrict the movements of all Uyghurs because the terrorist actions of a few, but he thinks this might make some Uyghurs feel distrusted as well.

Xiong also said the details of the policy need refining.

"I don't think it's appropriate to restrict all Uyghurs. Only very few of them threaten national security," he said.

Improvement underway

Uyghurs who need passports have found ways around the policy.

Amina (pseudonym), an Urumqi-based Uyghur, told the Global Times that to obtain a passport for work, she got signatures and stamps from her workplace, community, street office, local police, local branch of the national security team, as well as two people working in Xinjiang to vouch for her.

Her friend has been waiting for eight years for a passport to go to Saudi Arabia, she said.

"It's easier for Uyghurs with a hukou in Urumqi. Even though it takes more time, if you persist there is a possibility. But for Uyghurs in Southern Xinjiang, there's almost no chance to get a passport," she said.

Southern Xinjiang is more conservative and more terrorists come from that region, therefore the security is tighter, according to media reports.

Alim said many students come to Beijing for school and move their hukou there. Then it's much more convenient to apply as a Beijinger. A simple search on Baidu.com found some posts by Uyghur students teaching others how to obtain a passport through getting a Beijing hukou first.

Some people also slip money to government employees, such as at a government office processing passport applications, Alim said. Travel agencies can also help make the process smoother.

There's been a change since January 2014, Turgunjun Tursen, a researcher in the sociology department at the Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

The applications and materials can be handed to the Exit-Entry department at once, instead of requiring the applicant to go separately to all the departments, he said.

"This change has something to do with media reports and public calls on improving this policy, as well as suggestions given by research organizations," he said.

But it doesn't necessarily make things more convenient right now, as Eli, a photographer in Urumqi, told the Global Times.

He is hoping to join a photography contest in the US in May and submitted his applications at the beginning of April. But he has waited for almost two months now without hearing anything back.