Tuniyaz Osman – Uyghur Writer, Judge, and Human‑Rights Advocate
Early Life and Education
Tuniyaz Osman was born in 1965 in Bay County (Aksu) of Xinjiang. He graduated from the Law School at Xinjiang University in 1988. Since then he has never stopped publishing essays, articles, and reports on human‑rights violations in the region. His bachelor’s thesis focused on protecting human rights through legislation—a theme that was later explored in an interview with him by the Misranim Forum (2012).
Legal Career and Writing
Tuniyaz Osman served as a judge at the Aksu Prefectural Level Court, where he promoted and defended the basic human rights of political prisoners arrested during mass crackdown campaigns. In the late 1990s he was appointed head of the Aksu District Court and deputy secretary of the Aksu District Political and Legal Committee.
A prolific writer, Tuniyaz Osman authored “Understanding and Applying Civil Justice Interpretations,” published by Xinjiang People’s Publishing House in November 2003. The book is one of the very few works ever permitted to be printed in Uyghur under China’s Communist regime, and it explains why the law must guide society even when atrocities occur.
He also produced investigative reports such as “Thoughts Arising from the Death of a Master‑Degree Girl” and “View of the Moral Crisis from Police Cases,” which highlighted social injustice, inequality, discrimination, and the need for legal awareness among Uyghur communities.
Persecution and Arrest
Despite his unwavering commitment to justice, integrity, and cultural preservation, Tuniyaz Osman’s stance made him a target. In 2009, thousands of Uyghurs were arrested in connection with protests in Urumqi; Tuniyaz Osman defended their rights and was labeled a defender of “political prisoners.” As punishment, he was dismissed from the legal profession and reassigned to a government department unrelated to his expertise. Prior to his arrest, he also served as deputy head of the Provincial Earthquake Bureau.
In September 2016, Tuniyaz Osman was arrested. According to an anonymous source, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison—a sentence that underscores the continued repression of Uyghur intellectuals and human‑rights advocates.
References
- Misranim Forum interview (2012): https://www.uyghur-archive.com/misranim/thread-103573-1-1.html
Tuniyaz Osman’s life story exemplifies the courage of a judge and writer who has continually championed human rights under an oppressive regime, making him a pivotal figure in the struggle for Uyghur dignity and freedom.
