Summary of "The Black Gate: Vanished in the Night" – Embedded by NPR

Introduction

"The Black Gate: Vanished in the Night," the latest episode of NPR's Embedded podcast, delves deep into the harrowing plight of the Uyghur community in China's Xinjiang region. Hosted by Kelly McEvers and reported by NPR's China correspondent Emily Fang, this episode marks the beginning of a three-part series that uncovers the devastating impact of China's extensive surveillance and detention practices on Uyghur families. Central to this narrative is the story of Abdulatif Kuchar, a Uyghur man whose family was torn apart by government crackdowns, symbolizing the broader struggle faced by the Uyghur population.

Background: The Uyghurs and Xinjiang

Xinjiang, located in the northwest of China, is home to the Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnic minority predominantly practicing Islam. Historically, the region has been a focal point of ethnic tensions and resistance against Chinese rule. In 1940, Chinese troops asserted control over Xinjiang, promising autonomy similar to that extended to Tibetans. However, these promises were short-lived, leading to decades of cultural suppression and political marginalization.

The Kuchar Family’s Ordeal

Abdulatif Kuchar's family became emblematic of the Uyghur struggle. In a poignant recollection at [02:09], Abdulatif shares, "The relatives would come and live with us. Sometimes they would even sleep there at night and have breakfast with us in the morning," highlighting the constant surveillance they endured. Their nightmare began on a December evening in 2017 when Abdulatif was in Istanbul and his wife, Maryam, back in Xinjiang. As Abdulatif narrates at [03:12], "They found my apartment was a mess, everything was upside down, and our two kids were in shock by themselves at home."

The Chinese authorities arrested Maryam, leading to further arrests of Abdulatif's cousins and sister-in-law, ultimately severing all contact with his family. Despite ongoing efforts, including attempts to reach out to local police, Abdulatif remains unaware of his family's fate, a reality that underscores the pervasive fear and uncertainty faced by countless Uyghurs.

Government Policies and Escalating Repression

China's approach to Xinjiang intensified post-9/11, leveraging the global war on terror to justify its stringent measures. As Emily Fang explains, "The US war on terror had given China an opportunity to suggest that perhaps it too had a terrorism problem on its hands" ([10:38]). This led to the establishment of what the Chinese government refers to as "vocational education and employment training centers," widely recognized as detention camps.

Abdulatif reflects on the escalating control at [15:50]: "If you wanted to go outside, you had to pass through a security check, and without an ID card, you couldn't even go into your own home." These measures effectively trapped Uyghurs within Xinjiang, restricting their movement and cultural expression.

Personal Stories and Notable Quotes

The episode weaves multiple personal narratives to illustrate the human cost of these policies:

• Kalbennor's Struggle: A young Uyghur mother from Kashgar shares her family's daily harassment, stating at [11:47], "Officials would visit us at night regularly and find any excuse to punish us." Her experience reflects the constant state of fear and oppression.

• Abdoulaye Ayoob’s Activism: Acting as Emily Fang's translator, Abdoulaye provides critical insight into the cultural erosion faced by Uyghurs. At [17:07], he passionately asserts, "This is our last point. This is Our last front to stand. We will not compromise this. We shouldn't lose our language." His subsequent arrest in 2013 underscores the risks faced by those who resist cultural assimilation.

• Abdulatif's Desperation: After being deported to Istanbul, Abdulatif remains resolute in his quest to reunite with his family. His emotional farewell moment at [23:51], where his son Lutfulla "sobs and falls down on the floor," encapsulates the personal tragedies intertwined with the broader geopolitical conflict.

The Emergence of the Black Gate

As Abdulatif and his family navigate the oppressive landscape of Xinjiang, Emily Fang uncovers the sinister mechanism behind the mass detentions—the "Black Gate." Described as a vast network of detention camps, this system represents what may be the largest internment of an ethnic or religious minority since the Holocaust. Detailed at [20:22], Fang reveals leaked documents and state media reports that expose the militarization of the region:

"First, China denied these camps existed. But later, under international scrutiny, authorities switched tactics and started calling them vocational education and employment training centers. [...] The vocational training centers are to eradicate terrorism and religious extremism at its roots" ([20:17]).

These centers are ostensibly designed to indoctrinate Uyghurs into Communist ideologies and Mandarin proficiency, effectively eradicating their cultural and religious identities.

Conclusion

"The Black Gate: Vanished in the Night" serves as a powerful exposé of the Uyghur crisis in Xinjiang, blending personal testimonies with investigative journalism to shed light on a profoundly troubling human rights issue. By chronicling Abdulatif Kuchar's relentless search for his family and unveiling the systemic repression orchestrated by the Chinese government, Embedded underscores the urgent need for international attention and action.

As the series progresses, listeners can anticipate further revelations about the intricate web of surveillance, detention, and cultural suppression that defines the Uyghur experience in Xinjiang. This episode not only informs but also humanizes the statistics, ensuring that the stories of resilience and loss are not forgotten.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Abdulatif Kuchar at [02:09]: "The relatives would come and live with us. Sometimes they would even sleep there at night and have breakfast with us in the morning."

• Abdulatif Kuchar at [03:44]: "My cousins took care of our children, but then the cousins got arrested. So my sister in law took our children and then she too was arrested."

• Kalbennor at [11:47]: "Our family was clearly religious. My husband prayed five times a day so officials would control us."

• Abdoulaye Ayoob at [17:07]: "This is our last point. This is Our last front to stand. We will not compromise this. We shouldn't lose our language."

• Abdulatif Kuchar at [23:51]: "In the last moments before I had to leave, Lotfulla went to the front door and suddenly burst into tears. He had never cried like that before."

Credits and Collaborators

The episode was reported by Emily Fang with translation assistance from Abdoulaye Ayoob. Production was handled by Phoebe Wang and Adelina Lanciane, with editing by Jenny Schmidt. Supervising editor Katie Simon and supervising senior producer Liana Simstrom oversaw the project, supported by Executive Producer Irene Noguchi. Special acknowledgments were given to Dee Dee Skanke, Vincent Knee of NPR's International Desk, and others who contributed to the storytelling and technical aspects.

*For those interested in the ongoing saga of the Uyghur people and in-depth reporting on international human rights issues, subscribing to Embedded+ offers early access to episodes and ad-free listening. Discover more at plus.npr.org/embedded.