Introductions

This section gives an overview of the events that have shaped the politics of the region in addition to the events that led up to the construction of the re-education centres and mass imprisonment of ethnic minorities.

 

This timeline outlines state efforts to regulate religious and cultural expression in Xinjiang. With justifications ranging from deradicalization to development, authorities have eliminated public events, razed mosques and graveyards, and enforced linguistic and cultural homogeneity.

This timeline documents key developments within the camps and Chinese campaigns to whitewash the camp systems.

A brief outline of 20th Century events that have shaped Chinese politics in Xinjiang.

This timeline documents the arrests of well-known individuals.

Events that contributed to the establishment of ‘re-education centres.’

This timeline documents the changing Communist Party of China response to accusations of human rights violations in Xinjiang. As human rights groups have identified internment camps and forced labour in the region, China has denied these accusations, giving changing explanations since 2018.