# Rebiya Kadeer > Uyghur politician, activist and businesswoman **Wikidata**: [Q298133](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298133) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebiya_Kadeer) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rebiya-kadeer ## Summary Rebiya Kadeer is a Uyghur politician, human rights activist, and businesswoman from the People's Republic of China. She is best known for her advocacy for Uyghur rights and her leadership in the Uyghur diaspora community, particularly following her political imprisonment and subsequent exile. ## Biography - Born: January 21, 1947 - Nationality: People's Republic of China - Education: Not specified in available data - Known for: Advocating for Uyghur rights and leading the World Uyghur Congress - Employer(s): World Uyghur Congress (leader), various private business ventures (prior to political activism) - Field(s): Human rights, politics, business ## Contributions Rebiya Kadeer has made significant contributions primarily in the fields of human rights advocacy and political activism for the Uyghur people. Her most notable role has been as a leader within the World Uyghur Congress, an organization dedicated to representing the interests of the Uyghur diaspora and advocating for the rights of Uyghurs in China. She has also been recognized internationally for her efforts, including being awarded the Rafto Prize, a Norwegian human rights award established in 1987. ## FAQs **What is Rebiya Kadeer's background?** Rebiya Kadeer is a Uyghur from the People's Republic of China. She was born on January 21, 1947, and has been active in both business and political spheres, particularly advocating for Uyghur rights. **What organizations is Rebiya Kadeer associated with?** She is most notably associated with the World Uyghur Congress, where she has held a leadership role. Prior to her activism, she was involved in business ventures within China. **Why is Rebiya Kadeer notable?** Kadeer is notable for her political activism and advocacy for the Uyghur people, particularly through her leadership in the World Uyghur Congress. She has also been recognized with the Rafto Prize for her human rights work. **Has Rebiya Kadeer received any awards?** Yes, she received the Rafto Prize, a prestigious Norwegian human rights award, in recognition of her efforts in defending the rights of the Uyghur people. ## Why They Matter Rebiya Kadeer's significance lies in her role as a leading voice for the Uyghur community, particularly in the international arena. Her advocacy has brought global attention to the human rights issues faced by Uyghurs in China, making her a central figure in the diaspora's efforts to raise awareness. Her work has influenced international discourse on minority rights and government accountability in the People's Republic of China. Without her efforts, the visibility of Uyghur struggles might not have reached the global stage with the same level of impact. ## Notable For - Leading the World Uyghur Congress, an international organization representing Uyghur interests - Advocating for Uyghur human rights on the global stage - Being awarded the Rafto Prize for human rights advocacy - Serving as a prominent Uyghur political figure in exile - Transitioning from businesswoman to human rights defender ## Body ### Early Life and Background Rebiya Kadeer was born on January 21, 1947. She is a Uyghur, an ethnic group primarily residing in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. Her early life and education remain largely undocumented in the provided data, but her later career would see her transition from business to activism. ### Business Career Prior to her political activism, Kadeer was involved in business ventures within the People's Republic of China. Details of her business activities are sparse, but her entrepreneurial background likely contributed to her prominence within the Uyghur community and her ability to mobilize resources for later advocacy work. ### Political Activism and Human Rights Work Rebiya Kadeer became a leading figure in Uyghur activism, particularly after her release from imprisonment in the early 2000s. She became the president of the World Uyghur Congress, an organization formed to represent the political, social, and cultural interests of the Uyghur people globally. Her work with the Congress has focused on raising awareness of human rights issues in Xinjiang and advocating for greater autonomy or independence for the Uyghur people. Her activism has been recognized internationally. In particular, she was awarded the Rafto Prize in 2008, an honor that acknowledges outstanding contributions to human rights. The award highlighted her courage in speaking out against the repression of Uyghurs in China and her efforts to promote their rights on the global stage. ### Imprisonment and Exile Kadeer was imprisoned in China in the late 1990s and early 2000s, reportedly due to her political activities and business dealings that were seen as threatening to the state. After her release, she went into exile, continuing her activism from abroad. Her personal story has become emblematic of the broader struggle of the Uyghur people, particularly in the face of increasing scrutiny and control by the Chinese government in Xinjiang. ### International Recognition and Advocacy As a human rights defender, Kadeer has worked to bring international attention to the situation of Uyghurs in China. She has spoken at various international forums, lobbied governments, and worked with NGOs to highlight issues such as cultural suppression, surveillance, and restrictions on religious freedom. Her efforts have made her a controversial figure within China but a respected voice among international human rights communities. ### Legacy and Influence Rebiya Kadeer's legacy is deeply tied to her advocacy for the Uyghur people and her role in shaping international perceptions of their plight. Her influence extends through her leadership in the World Uyghur Congress and her ability to mobilize global support for Uyghur rights. She remains a symbol of resistance and a key figure in the ongoing dialogue about human rights in China. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. general catalog of BnF 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. CiNii Research 5. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. The Movie Database 8. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File 9. [OpenSanctions](https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/Q298133)