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Mihrigul Tursun 
Former Uyghur detainee

“My 3 children were taken away at the airport. They asked me questions for 3 hours. My kid were only 2 months old. They pushed me and broke my nose. I spent 2 months at camp - I did not know where my parents, husband or three kids were. They kept torturing me and questioning me. They took my ID, passport, cell phone. I am on the black list they say. I am not able to contact anyone. I see to the hospital - I see my two kids and one kid died. I did not see my kids for 5 months. And then one is died. I had triplets, I had big dreams, they took this from me.”

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“They took 26 people from my family to prison in China. If I come back they will release but if I don’t they will kill them. I don’t know what to do.”

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“I went to American embassy. I am not Egyptian, I am not Chinese…In 2018 - I came to the US as a refugee. My two kids are disabled. They are not healthy. They gave me electric torture. I was sterilized. I can’t hear from my right ear. My hands still have a problem. I am here without my husband or my family. I don’t know if they are alive.”

Source: Panel discussion at the Muslim Community Center of East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Friday, January 21, 2023. Sponsored by Uyghur Foundation, MCA Bay Area, Tarbiya Institute & Uyghur American Association.

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