Petra Dillon, a student at Ecolint in Geneva, presented the empty chair for Rahile Dawut at the 17th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy on February 18th, 2025.
Full Remarks:
The empty chair on this stage is dedicated to Rahile Dawut, a world-renowned scholar of Uyghur folklore and traditions, who was disappeared by the Chinese government in 2017.
I would like to now read you a letter written by her daughter, Akida Pulat:
Dear Geneva Summit attendees,
I want to express my deep gratitude to the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy for dedicating this empty chair to my mother. This chair is not just a symbol of her absence; it is a reminder of the countless voices silenced by authoritarian regimes.
My name is Akida. I am the daughter of Rahile Dawut, a renowned Uyghur scholar who has been unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese government since 2017. For decades, she dedicated her life to preserving Uyghur culture and history, ensuring that future generations could learn from the rich heritage of our people. But instead of being celebrated for her work, she was imprisoned by the Chinese government.
My mother is exceptionally hard working. I have vivid memories of seeing her working in the office room in our apartment in the middle of the night. She brought warmth into people’s lives. She often invited students to our home for lunch or dinner and gave them advice and emotional support. She is a good friend, too. Whenever her students or friends faced difficulties, she was there to help. She is my greatest role model, shaping me into who I am today. Her passion for her work and her dedication to our family inspires me every day.
I remember vividly. It was December 12, 2017, when I first lost contact with my mother. I wanted to say Hi, and talk to her about my day. But instead of having a call with me, she left a voice message over WeChat and told me that she needed to go to Beijing. She disappeared that day. Later I found out she was detained. In 2023, I learned that she was given a life sentence on the charge of endangering national security. This charge sounds ridiculous to anyone who knows her because all she was doing in her career and her life was studying and preserving Uyghur culture.
For years, I have lived with the pain of not knowing where she is, how she is, or if she is even alive. No child should have to wonder if their mother is still alive.
We must not let this chair remain empty forever. My mother, and so many others like her, must be freed. And it is up to all of us to speak, to demand, and to never stop fighting for their freedom.
Thank you to everyone here today who continues to fight for justice. Your support means everything to me and to all the families still waiting for their loved ones.
Thank you.
