Xinjiang passes regulation on extremism
All sections of society urged to help prevent radicalization
Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region passed a regulation on Wednesday, calling on all corners of society to combat extremism while stressing that no one should spread extremist views in schools.
“Teachers should play an active role in guiding students in advocating science, pursuing the truth and resisting superstition and radicalization. No individual or organization should use classes, lectures or forums to spread extremist views,” reads the regulation.
The regulation also mentions that schools should strengthen education to combat separatism, and enhance the capacity of educators to resist ideological infiltration by religious extremism.
The regulation was passed at the 28th Session of the 12th Standing Committee of Xinjiang’s People’s Congress on Wednesday, and it will take effect on April 1.
“The radicalization mentioned in the regulation refers to religious thoughts that have been influenced by extremism or those that advocate extremism, and words and deeds that disrupt and intervene in people’s daily lives,” reads the regulation.
“Extremism also refers to propositions and deeds that incite hatred and discrimination and advocate violence via twisted religious doctrines or by other means,” it added.
The regulation calls for support from across society to combat extremism, including labor unions, commerce associations, the Communist Youth League, women’s federation, religious groups and academic groups.
The public security bureaus should crack down on illegal activities concerning radicalization, cooperating with other departments to regulate illegal religious propaganda and the spreading of illegal religious material on the Internet. It should also clamp down on radicalization online, the infiltration of overseas extremist forces, and illegal exit and entry. It should further keep a close watch on and control of key individuals, the regulation stipulates.
Watchdogs on the Internet and at public security bureaus should also strengthen controls over websites, online forums and social media, including Sina Weibo, Tencent QQ, WeChat and other instant messaging apps, and require organizations or individuals to shut down their services or delete messages once content with “improper” messages has been spotted.
Telecommunications authorities should also urge operators to supervise and take precautions against the spread of materials related to radicalization via audio messages and calls on mobile phones, information service centers and landlines. Any minor violation would require the perpetrator to undergo introspection and receive education provided by the local security bureau and their place of work, while severe cases would lead to fines and civil charges in accordance with the related laws, including those concerning counterterrorism.
Officials from working groups fighting to eradicate extremism who fail to fulfill their responsibilities would be punished.
The regulation is designed to contain and eliminate extremism, keep the public away from the influence of extremism and maintain social stability and security, according to the regulation.