Xinjiang officials call for safeguarding ethnic unity

• Source: Xinhua
• [09:43 July 25 2009]
• Comments

Nur Berkri said officials should better understand what the public needs, especially those in poverty. More attention should be paid to providing psychological assistance to the victims and encouraging them to rebuild their homes.

He made the remarks at the 12th meeting of the 11th Standing Committee of the Xinjiang Regional People's Congress which ended Friday.

The meeting passed a resolution on cracking down on violent crimes and safeguarding ethnic unity and social stability.

The resolution said the riot was masterminded by the separatist, terrorist and extremist forces led by Rebiya Kadeer and was aimed at fomenting hostility, destroying stability and separating the nation.

Eligen Imibakhi, chairman of the standing committee of the Xinjiang Regional People's Congress, said, "We must cherish the unity and stability just like we cherish our eyes."

"We must clearly know who are our enemies and who are our brothers and sisters, he said.

Many ethnic minorities had no thought for their own safety to rescue the Han people in the riot. It proves that the unity could withstand any serious tests, he said.

"Any separatist and terrorist attempts are doomed to fail because they sabotaged the fundamental interests and the happy life of people of all nationalities."

He urged the public not to believe or spread rumors but to fight against activities that inflict damages to ethnic unity.

People's Congress and its Standing committee at all levels should step up legislation and supervision to crack down on separatist activities and violent crimes, he said.

The regional legislature plans to draw up regulations on education of ethnic unity and rules of anti-separatism. The regulations on public security and religious affairs will also be revised, he said.

Urumqi has gradually returned to normal, and it passed another peaceful day on Friday that marked the third weekly Jumah Day, or Friday prayer, after the riot. All mosques in Urumqi were open to Muslims Friday.