TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

PROMINENT KAZAKH WRITER HELD IN SECRET DETENTION

China UA 71.26

Zhengis Reskhan (杰恩斯·热斯汉), a prominent Kazakh writer from China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, has been detained since March 19, 2026, following months of repeated police interrogations. Since he was taken away, his family has received no official notification of his detention, legal status, or the reasons for his detention, and has had no contact with him. According to his son, the authorities have verbally accused him of “promoting extremist thought” and “holding extremist thoughts” but have provided no formal charges or legal documents. His family, both in China and abroad, has also reportedly been subjected to surveillance and intimidation.

Call on the Chinese authorities to immediately release Zhengis Reskhan - send your message to the Chinese Ambassador using our email writing tool.

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Ambassador

Xie

Fang

Chinese Embassy in the United States

Dear Minister Wang,
CC: Ambassador Xie Fang

I am concerned about the detention of Zhengis Reskhan (杰恩斯·热斯汉), a prominent Kazakh writer from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Uyghur region). I find it distressing that, since taking him into custody on March 19, 2026, the authorities have reportedly verbally alleged that he "promoted extremist thought" and "held extremist thoughts", yet no formal charges have been communicated or legal basis for his detention disclosed.

The authorities' failure to officially disclose Zhengis Reskhan's legal status or place of detention raises serious concerns that he is being held in secret and prolonged incommunicado detention, placing him at heightened risk of torture and other ill-treatment. I am also alarmed by reports that his family members in China and abroad have been subjected to surveillance and intimidation for seeking information about his case.

I urge you to release Zhengis Reskhan immediately and unconditionally unless there is sufficient credible and admissible evidence that he has committed an internationally recognized criminal offense. Pending his release, ensure that he has prompt and regular access to a lawyer of his own choosing, his family, and any medical care he may require, and that he is protected from torture and other ill treatment. Finally, I urge you to end all intimidation, surveillance and reprisals against Zhengis Reskhan's family members, wherever they may reside, for seeking information about his case or peacefully exercising their human rights.

Yours sincerely,

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