Invite Rebiya Kadeer to Taiwan 請熱比婭卡德爾訪客臺灣

Rebiya Kadeer is perhaps one of the most famous supporters of Uyghur rights. Rebiya's political career began after she publicly criticized the Chinese government after the Gulja Incident (a series of riots similar to those currently in Xinjiang).

She was soon jailed by Chinese authorities and not released until March 14th, 2005. However, her sons were later charged for "state security crimes." In 2006 she became the president of the World Uyghur Congress, and has continued to defend the rights of all Uyghurs. Her film, The 10 Conditions of Love, directed by Jeff Daniels, portrays the hardships of the Uyghurs and Kadeer's solutions. However, the movie met harsh resistance from China and the website was hacked and vandalized with pro China slogans.

Taiwan, defying China and agreeing to play the movie in Kaohsiung City, swore to protect Kadeer's freedom of speech. But when Kadeer planned to visit Taiwan in September of 2009, after much debate, her request was rejected by Taiwanese Kuomintang officials stating the reason as "close ties with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement." Kadeer strongly disagreed with this statement (the East Turkestan Islamic Movement is considered "terrorist") and threatened to sue Taiwan.

Taiwan needs to show Kadeer that it supports Uyghur rights and treat Kadeer as equally as the Dalai Lama, who recently visited Taiwan.