Take Action—FREE Huseyin Celil! 

Email Canada's Prime Minister to take specific diplomatic actions to free Huseyin. 

Resources

Human rights groups and experts in Canada and around the world have covered in-depth Huseyin’s arbitrary detention. His story illustrates the Chinese regime’s crackdown on religious and political dissent in response to widespread repression of Uighur Muslims. 

The Raoul Wallenberg Centre For Human Rights published on the case of Huseyin Celil. The report covers Huseyin as an Imam who spoke out against Chinese authorities’ mistreatment of the members of his mosque, including his eventual imprisonment and torture for 18 months in response to his peaceful advocacy. 

Recognize Celil

The #RecognizeCelil Campaign was organized by friends and family of Huseyin. This organization offers a complete database of the latest actions, news, dossiers, briefing notes, reports and other critical resources that document the ongoing disappearance of Huseyin. 

Take Action—Tell Canada's Prime Minister to Free Huseyin​

Send a letter calling on the Canadian government to take specific diplomatic actions to address Huseyin’s case.
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  1. Demanding China Recognizes Huseyin’s Canadian citizenship
  2. Prioritize Huseyin's release from Chinese detainment
  3. Appoint a special envoy to work on securing Huseyin's release.
  4. Seek international assistance in obtaining his release 

In 60 Seconds—Who is Huseyin Celil? ​

Interview with Amnesty on Huseyin

Interview with Safiyyah Ally and former Amnesty Secretary General, Alex Neve, on the Canadian government’s responsibility to protect the rights of citizens like Huseyin Celil abroad.

Op-Ed: This Canadian has been jailed by China for 15 years. Why isn’t the government helping?

Justice For All Canada published an article comparing the plight of Huseyin Celil to Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor—two Canadians who were also arbitrarily arrested by the Chinese government. Unlike Huseyin, both Kovrig and Spavor were already released from Chinese custody through the Candian government’s intervention. 

Timeline: The Political Persecution of Huseyin Celil

Since 2016, there has been no communications or updates on Huseyin. His last communication with his family indicated serious health concerns, which deteriorated dramatically in the past 15 years as a result of his prison conditions. Huseyin has spent much of his time in solitary confinement, and has lacked access to proper nutrition. 
Prior to 2001
Huseyin was an Imam in his hometown of Kashgar. He spoke against the mistreatment of 12 members of his mosque by Chinese authorities.

He advocated for the respect and protection of Uighur Muslim community rights, including the right to speak their language, practice their Islamic religion, and celebrate their culture. Authorities in China continued to stifle these basic rights.
2001
Huseyin fled the country after the Chinese government imprisoned and tortured him for 18 months in response to his peaceful advocacy. 

The UN High Commissioner for 17 Refugees (UNHCR) recognized Huseyin’s refugee status. 

Huseyin was granted permanent residency in Canada as a recognized refugee that same year.
2005
Huseyin acquired Canadian citizenship, and settled with his wife and their three sons in Burlington, Ontario.
2006
Huseyin and his family travelled using their Canadian passports to Uzbekistan. While in Uzbekistan, one of his sons became sick. Huseyin visited an Uzbek government office to extend their travel permits by one week. 

Uzbek authorities apprehended and detained Huseyin, based on a notice for his detention created by the Chinese government. He was sentenced to death by the Chinese government. 
2014
Huseyin’s time in detention was first reduced to a life sentence in 2014, then to 20 years in 2018.