When President Xi Jinping visits the White House later this month, Ziba Murat is keen that her mother’s name is part of discussions. Dr. Gulshan Abbas, a 64-year-old retired physician, has spent eight years in a Chinese prison under accusations called fabricated by the U.S. government and human rights groups. This upcoming meeting with President Trump is, according to her family, a potential opportunity for her release.
Ziba Murat expressed hope in an exclusive interview with Newsweek, citing a previous case where Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri was released after his situation was raised with President Xi. “I hope the president can address my mother’s case,” Murat stated. Dr. Abbas’s sister, Rushan Abbas, who has advocated for her release since her arrest in 2018, shares this sentiment. “It’s crucial for President Trump to raise my sister’s case and bring her home,” she added.
Dr. Abbas’s case has bipartisan support in Congress. A House resolution pushed by Representative Chris Smith urged President Trump to prioritize the release of several political and religious prisoners in China, including Dr. Abbas. The resolution passed unanimously with a 414-0 vote in May, with the Senate following suit.
Background on Dr. Abbas’s Disappearance
Dr. Abbas was a practicing physician in Urumqi, Xinjiang. She retired early for health reasons but continued to assist patients. Her family recalls her dedication to serving people from remote areas. Five days after Rushan Abbas spoke publicly about the plight of Uyghurs, Chinese authorities arrested Dr. Abbas. “I believe she was taken in retaliation for my speech,” Rushan explained, emphasizing her citizenship and freedom of expression.
Initially, the family heard nothing for two years. Reports then revealed Dr. Abbas had been secretly tried and sentenced in March 2019. The accusations included “participating in a terrorist organization” and “disrupting social order.” The family did not learn about this until December 2020. Olivia Enos, a Hudson Institute senior fellow, noted that Dr. Abbas’s detention directly related to her sister’s free speech in the U.S.
Dr. Abbas has family, including sisters, brothers, and grandchildren, who are U.S. citizens. She has not seen many of them, including her grandchildren, due to her imprisonment. Her health has also deteriorated during her time in prison.
Bipartisan Congressional Support
Both parties have spoken about Dr. Abbas’s case. Notable Republican lawmakers have voiced support, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Marco Rubio, who invited family members to political events. “This isn’t a partisan issue,” Rushan Abbas stated. “It’s a humanitarian one supported by both sides.”
Newsweek reached out to relevant parties, including the White House and Chinese Embassy, for comments on this situation.
Challenges with the Biden Administration
Dr. Abbas’s imprisonment spans three presidencies, and her family reflects on this, highlighting the challenges faced during President Biden’s term. “We were assured by the Biden administration that her case was a priority,” Ziba Murat recalled. Several U.S. citizens were released from China during these years, but Dr. Abbas’s status as a non-citizen affected her case’s handling.
Despite writing to the administration multiple times, the family did not receive responses regarding Dr. Abbas’s case, furthering their frustration.
Rushan Abbas believes the Biden administration failed to strongly advocate for her sister’s release. “President Biden mentioned it but didn’t push enough,” she said.
Hope with Trump’s Intervention
There is cautious optimism about Trump’s involvement, based on his previous experience in releasing Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri. Advocates hope this approach will be effective for Dr. Abbas as well.
Trump’s past actions against China’s treatment of Uyghurs underscore this belief. Sarah Makin, a former National Security Council adviser, highlighted Trump’s said leverage with Xi, reinforcing hope for Dr. Abbas’s release.
Supporters urge thinking beyond individual cases and suggest the U.S. has leverage if China seeks something in return. “Our main hope is that President Trump can convince Xi to let her come home,” Murat concluded.
Newsweek editors Jason Lemon and Geoffrey Rowland were contacted for comments on this article.
Leave a Reply