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A week and a half ago a family of three Xinjiang Uyghurs – a mom, dad, and son – set themselves on fire in Beijing as an act of protest over a housing dispute.  At the time of the actual event, much speculation made its way around the internet as to the reason for this self-immolation but very few actual facts were known. Now, a week later, the details emerge.

In order to make way for the building of a new school back in 2002, government officials in a Xinjiang town informed this family that their home would be destroyed.  According to local officials, the family was offered two new houses (that’s right…2), medical expenses for a mentally disabled daughter, and 400,000 yuan ($58,800) as compensation for their relocation.  I don’t know about elsewhere in China, but here in Xinjiang that’s a small fortune.

The official story states that the family didn’t think this was quite enough.  They proceeded to make “unreasonable demands” for new jobs (Uyghur unemployment is among the highest in the world), an open apology, and fees covering their appealing visits to the government.  When these demands weren’t met, they drove down to Wangfujing street in Beijing and set themselves on fire.  I mean, that’s the logical next step in a minor appeals process like this, right?

If you’re like me, you’re thinking that something doesn’t quite add up.  To make things even more confusing, these people were given first-class tickets to fly back to Urumqi on March 1st paid for by Urumqi’s own government and are currently receiving burn treatment at a local hospital also on the government’s dime.

I can’t imagine anybody would willing set their entire family on fire over a job and an apology, so I’m tempted to believe the compensatory terms weren’t originally that generous.  On the other hand, doesn’t this send a message to would-be protesters that all they have to do to get attention is just set themselves on fire?

Two weeks ago these people were most likely poor and homeless.  Now they just took what might have been their first trip on an airplane, first class no less, back to two new houses and 400,000 yuan.
Update: It looks as if this story has another twist in store for us – the family might not have been Uyghur after all, but possibly Uzbek.  This doesn’t really change the dynamics of the story much as both groups face similar obstacles here, but it’s worth a note.  Thanks to Tim from McClatchy Newspapers for pointing this out to me.  He credited this original finding to the South China Morning Post which is hidden behind a pay wall.

Sources:
Xinhuanet: Three People in Beijing Self-Immolation Bid Have “Unreasonable Demands”
RFA: Uyghur Moderate Speaks Out