Uighur human rights activist Ilham Tohti awarded EU Sakharov Prize

In reaction to the announcement of the Sakharov prize by the EU parliament for her father Ilham Tohtis, Jewher Ilhan, told Sumi Somaskandam from the Deutsche Welle:

"I hope that this prize could help my father to get away from potential harm through the Chinese government. And I hope if they decide to take a negative action towards my father they may consider the international attention."

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"It was very difficult for someone like my father who could actually decide to speak up and continue his work for so many years even though he knew his action could get him into trouble, get him arrested. But he continued his work and sacrificed himself."

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"Our family members are no longer able to visit him and we don´t know if he is still held in the same prison, we don´t even know if he's still alive."

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"I hope this award could bring more countries to stand up for the Uighurs' cause and I also wish them to stand up for the release of my father and other intellectuals who are serving unjust sentences in prison or concentration camps."    (DW)