Initiatives for China / Citizen Power for China
Oct 31, 2013
On Monday, October 28, a SUV veered violently through a crowd in Tiananmen Square, killing the vehicle’s three occupants and two pedestrians. According to China’s state media,allegedly thirty-eight people were injured.
China’s regime immediately exerted control over further emerging details, deleting hundreds of social media posts and blocking internet images and searches related to the incident. Police arrested on-site international BBC and AFP reporters, erasing their photos and footage. The incident did not appear in China’s evening news.
Citizen Power for China (CPFC, aka Initiatives for China) is deeply regretful and saddened by the loss of life from this tragedy. We condemn all forms of violence, most of all those targeting the innocent.
We are therefore concerned that the obfuscation of the facts thus far has created a tempting opportunity for the regime to intensify their brutal crackdown on the Uyghur population. We note that the regime has in the past advocated the ruthless suppression of the Uyghur people as “terrorists”, with government-run media suggesting pre-emptive attacks and a permanent military presence in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
CPFC calls for the regime to accept independent investigation of the incident and increase transparency, as to allow for reliable accounts of Monday’s events. We urge the world to turn its attention to this matter as it develops, as international scrutiny, diplomacy, and investigation may very well prevent escalating conflict in coming days.