Across the Border: Uyghurs in Kazakhstan [video]
A new documentary, by film maker Simon James is now available to view on Forced Migration Online. ‘Across the Border: Uyghurs in Kazakhstan‘ focuses on the situation of the Uyghur minority in Kazakhstan.
While Uyghurs account for just 1.5% of the Kazakh population, relations with the Kazakh government are often strained and Uyghurs live today in a sort of limbo. They can do business, study their native language and organize cultural events, provided they do not interfere with politics and accept limited freedom of thought and tight State control.
This situation gives minorities the opportunity to survive as a community and enjoy stability, but it does not grant them the status of full citizens.