500 Uighur Turks fled China for Turkey

A month ago, 500 Uighur Turks fled the western Chinese region of Xinjiang and settled in state housing previously used as official residences for police officers in the city of Kayseri.

The refugees agreed to tell their stories under the condition of anonymity, because they fear for the lives and safety of their families who are still in China. Here is the story of their escape:

Turkey has been home for thousands Uighur Turks who fled China since the 1950s. However, in the last couple of months the migration rate rapidly increased due to the law passed early this year that bans Uighur Turks to practice their religion freely. Turkey is the leading country that Uighur refugees would like to immigrate to. Seyit Tümtürk, vice president of the World Uighur Congress, said there are 367 detained Uighur refugees in Thailand who tried to flee China last month and those who managed to arrive in Istanbul were settled in Kayseri by Turkish authorities about a month ago.

No job opportunites, no freedom of religion

The housing hosts 90 families, in one of the three-roomed houses we talked to a group of refugees. Most of them are either butchers or cooks. They come from different cities including Aksu and Kashgar. Some were able to flee along with their families, while others are looking forward to the day they meet again. When they were asked about why they left China, they talked about the hardships and injustice they have been facing in the region.

"They wouldn't let us sell our own goods and halal products in our stores. There aren't any job opportunities. Praying is prohibited. They don't let us cover our heads. We cannot teach our children our customs and traditions," they said.

$5,000 bribe

"You have to pay $50...