The families torn apart by Uighur detention camps
5 Live News Specials19 Feb 2021

The families torn apart by Uighur detention camps

China calls them centres for re-education. The United States says the actions of the state amount to genocide. As more testimonies emerge from China’s “re-education” camps in the Xinjiang region of China, Colin Murray speaks to a former detainee who recounts appalling abuses, a reporter who posed as a tourist to gain access to the region, and a Uighur American who fears he’ll never see his mother again following her internment. Independent estimates suggest more than a million men and women have been detained in the network of camps, while human rights groups allege mass detention and forced sterilization - both allegations are denied by the Chinese government. Journalist Isobel Yeung describes her experience of China’s Orwellian surveillance and harassment first-hand during her time in Xinjiang, and how she captured hidden-camera footage of multiple Uighur men being detained by police in the middle of the night: “It's almost laughable the amount of reasons that a Uighur individual could end up in a very high security prison essentially. People told me that they'd been imprisoned for wearing a headscarf or from having WhatsApp on their phone, or from reading Arabic on their phone. The list goes on and on and on and it's incredible. Almost every Uighur individual is seen as a direct security threat, and that is exactly how they're treated.” Uighur-American engineer, Ferkat Jawdat left China in 2011 but his mother was denied a passport despite being granted an American visa. She's since been repeatedly detained in camps and following her release is still not allowed to leave her home. Ferkat has become an activist and leading voice on the treatment of the Uighur people but says he’s been warned to stop speaking out: “In 2019 I had a meeting with (the US) former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. So after three days I learnt that my mum was being transferred from the camp to a prison and then I received a message that I had to stop speaking out. If not, that I would lose my mum forever.” Tursunay Ziawudun spent two periods detained in a camp in Xinjiang. The second stint lasted nine months, and it’s during this time she says she was raped and tortured: “For a woman, who suffered from gang rapes it’s an unspeakable shame, but if I don’t speak up I have siblings and their children there, and our future generations are living there, and what is going to happen to our Uyghur women and their children? Bearing in mind of all those who are still suffering, I am prepared to make all sacrifices.” “How many women like me have suffered their abuse, I am not the only one, many of them are so young and innocent, I appeal to the world that it must not standby idly, I wish to believe and hope that the world will act.”

Episoder(423)

That Time of the Month: Vulvodynia

That Time of the Month: Vulvodynia

Naga and the team are joined by campaigner Philly Baines to talk about vulvodynia. It’s a condition which impacts around 1 in 7 women causing burning, throbbing and soreness around the vulva. It can be constant or come and go and it can impact your sleep, your concentration, your sexual relationships, and your everyday activities. That Time of the Month, originally broadcast on BBC 5 Live on 13th May 2025.

14 Mai 50min

VE Day 80 in Letters

VE Day 80 in Letters

Celebrations and events are being held around the world to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day – the day when fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe came to an end. In this 5 Live News Special, we’re highlighting some of the personal stories from the time through letters written to loved ones, which are read for us by relatives of the authors. The letters have been collected by the Imperial War Museum. You can see the whole collection at https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/letterstolovedones/

6 Mai 13min

That Time of the Month: Prolapse

That Time of the Month: Prolapse

Naga and the team are joined by ‘Why Mums Don’t Jump’ author and podcaster Helen Ledwick to talk about prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more of the organs in the pelvis slip from their usual position and bulge into the vagina. It’s thought to affect around 1 in 3 women. That Time of the Month, part of 5 Live’s Me, My Health & I series. Get in touch via @bbc5live on social media.

24 Apr 1h 15min

A Safer UK? – 5 Live’s exploration into violence against women and girls

A Safer UK? – 5 Live’s exploration into violence against women and girls

As part of a special series looking at violence against women and girls in the UK, 5 Live has been speaking to Ofcom, the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales and has had access into two separate training programmes for bystanders and perpetrators of abuse.

14 Mar 1h 6min

That Time of the Month: Libido

That Time of the Month: Libido

Naga and the team are joined by psychosexual therapist and author Kate Moyle to talk about libido. They discuss the impact both a low and a high libido can have on a relationship and answer questions from the 5 Live audience. That Time of the Month, part of 5 Live’s Me, My Health & I series. Get in touch via @bbc5live on social media.

6 Mar 1h 5min

That Time of the Month: Lichen Sclerosus

That Time of the Month: Lichen Sclerosus

Naga Munchetty is joined by campaigner Clare Baumhauer to talk about the impact the skin condition lichen sclerosus has had on her life. They’re joined by Dr Nighat Arif and Dr Christine Ekechi who offer help and advice and answer your questions. That Time of the Month, part of 5 Live’s Me, My Health & I series. Get in touch via @bbc5live on social media.

12 Feb 57min

That Time of the Month: Hysterectomy

That Time of the Month: Hysterectomy

Naga Munchetty speaks to the TV presenter and broadcaster Jenny Powell about her journey before and after having a hysterectomy. Naga is also joined by regular experts Dr Nighat Arif and Dr Christine Ekechi to listen to your stories and answer your questions. That Time of the Month, part of 5 Live’s Me, My Health & I series. Get in touch via @bbc5live on social media.

22 Jan 1h 2min

That Time of the Month: Review of the Year

That Time of the Month: Review of the Year

Naga Munchetty, Dr Nighat Arif and Dr Christine Ekechi review their first year of That Time of the Month, looking back on some of the guests who have shared their experiences on health issues including fibroids, Endometriosis, PMDD and MRKH. That Time of the Month, part of 5 Live’s Me, My Health & I series. Get in touch via @bbc5live on social media.

27 Des 202451min