Family members of Rebiya Kadeer have asked her not to organize violence or undermine the peaceful life in Xinjiang, in letters made public on Monday.
They blamed her for organizing the riot in Urumqi on July 5 and apologized to the victims in two separate letters dated July 24.
In one of the letters, Rebiya's son Khahar, daughter Roxingul and younger brother Memet expressed their discontent for her betrayal of promises of not taking part in separatist activities and voiced their moral indignity over the riot.
Nine other relatives signed on the letter.
"Because of you, so many innocent people lost their lives in Urumqi on July 5, and so many houses, shops and vehicles were burnt or damaged," they wrote. "The harmony and unity among ethnic groups were undermined."
Before leaving for the United States, Rebiya promised to the government that she would not be engaged in separatist activities. "You broke your words anyway," they wrote.
Xinjiang is a happy home to people of different ethnic groups and no one wants it destroyed, they wrote.
"Please think about the happiness of us and your grandchildren,"they said. "Don't destroy the stable and happy life in Xinjiang. Don't follow the provocation from some people in other countries."
People are living a good life here, they told Rebiya. "There are no difference between ethnic groups so long as you're willing to work hard. There are many Uygur millionaires and countless new buildings in Urumqi, and Uygur people enjoy various preferential policies from the government."
Despite what she had done, her family wrote, "We still miss the mother (sister) who cared about us before going to jail. The last thing we want is that our mother (sister) is condemned by the people of all ethnic groups."
They also wrote that the local government did not harass them because of her. "The Government treats us very nicely. We are often told, 'Your mother is responsible for things she did. It has nothing to do with you.'"
In another letter to the victims of the July 5 riot, they held Rebiya and the World Uygur Congress (WUC) responsible for the riot.
"Evidence proved the riot was organized by the WUC, led by Rebiya Kadeer, and implemented by a group of separatists within the Chinese borders."
They admitted that, six hours before the riot happened, they received a phone call from Rebiya warning them there would be a "big incident".
After an brawl between Uygur and Han workers of a factory in Shaoguan of southern Guangdong Province broke out on June 26, Rebiya exaggerated the facts on the Internet, raising the death toll from two to more than 50, and posted counterfeit pictures, which triggered the riot, they wrote.
"Those who committed crimes should take the responsibilities," they said.
"We were not involved in the riot. We are innocent and we are victims as well. As her family members, we are very angry about the riot organized by our mother to separate the country. We feel sorry for the victims and their families," they wrote. "You must be still in deep sorrow of losing your loved ones though more than half a month has passed. We can do nothing but to apologize."
In addition, they asked Uygur people "not to believe what she said" and befriend people from other ethnic groups.
(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2009)
