How many Uighur cemeteries have been razed since 2014?

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At Least 45 Uighur Cemeteries Razed Since 2014

Since 2014, Chinese authorities have exhumed and flattened a minimum of 45 Uighur cemeteries across the Xinjiang region. This extensive destruction has accelerated in recent years, with 30 of these sites being demolished within the past two years alone, according to an investigation combining AFP reporting with satellite imagery analysis.
Extensive Destruction of Burial Grounds

The scale of the destruction is significant, impacting burial grounds where generations of Uighur families have been interred. In some instances, unearthed human bones and broken tombs have been left exposed, as observed by AFP journalists in Shayar county. This physical dismantling of cemeteries is viewed by overseas Uighurs as a deliberate attempt to eradicate the ethnic group's identity and disconnect them from their history and ancestors.
Official Explanations and Underlying Concerns

Official justifications for the cemetery destructions typically cite urban development or the "standardisation" of old graves. However, exiled Uighurs and researchers argue these actions are part of a broader state campaign to control all aspects of their lives. For example, in Aksu, a large graveyard where the prominent Uighur poet Lutpulla Mutellip was buried was transformed into "Happiness Park," featuring recreational facilities, with the original graves reportedly moved to a new cemetery in an industrial zone.
Parallel Destruction of Cultural and Religious Sites

The razing of Uighur cemeteries is occurring alongside the destruction of other cultural and spiritual sites in Xinjiang. Investigations have identified the demolition of at least 30 mosques and religious sites since 2017. Scholars studying Uighur culture suggest this systematic erasure of historical and religious landmarks is intended to disrupt the relationship between the Uighur people, their history, and the land they inhabit.
Impact on Mourning Traditions and Human Remains

The replacement cemeteries are often described as homogenous and densely packed, leaving families with insufficient space for traditional mourning practices. Furthermore, reports indicate that human remains have been left behind during the exhumation and relocation process. Forensic anthropologists examining images of the sites have identified various human bones, suggesting a lack of care in handling remains. In some cases, residents were given very short notice, such as two days in Hotan, to claim their dead before tombstones were treated as unclaimed.

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How many Uighur cemeteries have been razed since 2014?

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