To minorities, the so-called “fight against extremism” approach by CCP is actually “sinicizing Xinjiang” and wiping out minorities. Several victims that Apple Daily interviews also suffer from menopauses, sexual dysfunctions or potential sterility because of injections or pills from authorities. After leaving concentration camps, all victims suffer from after effects physically and mentally, and will never forgive what CCP has done.

Forced injections are common experiences to all concentration camp victims. One day before transferring to a concentration camp, Zharqynbek Otan was put on a black head hood to take blood. He woke up the next day in a concentration camp already. Although he was told the injection was a flu vaccine, he did not know if it was true.

Gulzira was also forced to take a “flu shot” one week after being sent to a concentration camp. Even though she didn’t get any flu in the next year, her nose starts to bleed six months after the shot, even two or three times a week, and has frequent migraines. She also knows people have no menstrual periods for nine months in the camp.

Food in concentration camps are also questioned by victims. Rice congees are often sent to prisoners. Even though congee is not a staple for minority groups, says Gulzira, “I often wanted to have the same congee in the camp, and my stomach felt uncomfortable without it”. Erzhan mentions similar stories. “The congee always smelled like medicine. I felt distracted afterwards, and didn’t miss my family. All I could think of was that congee.” They both suspect the congee is doped.

Another victim Tursynbek also suspects that he is doped. Before leaving Xinjiang this February, he was summoned by national security officers, drank a cup of tea, and felt dizzy for days. The dizziness still happened after returning to Kazakhstan. In the medical check, doctors said his blood was infected, and asked if he took drugs. After knowing he was sent to concentration camps in Xinjiang, doctors told him “your conditions are political to bilateral relationships”, and refused to write down infection details in the diagnosis.

Victims observe that Xinjiang authorities attempt to stop ethnic minorities from having children, including arrangements in concentration camps. The camp Gulzira stayed were open for familial visits. Prisoners could meet with relatives for 15 minutes each time. For spouses, they would be given two hours in a separate room. However, guards would force female prisoners to take a pill before meeting their husbands. “I believe it is a contraceptive pill.”

After effects continue even if they are released from concentration camps. Besides menopauses among former female inmates, two former male inmates, Zharqynbek and Erzhan have lost sexual abilities or desires after release. Zharqynbek says he “has no desire or reaction at all”, and suffers from backache, worsening memories, and exhaustion. He is afraid of human interactions as well.

Erzhan encounters similar symptoms, including “no sexual abilities or interests”. Due to his physical conditions, his wife is now responsible for farming works. “I will never forgive them for this unspeakable pain. I will never return to Xinjiang even if it is no longer dangerous.”

As many former prisoners are financially deprived, they cannot afford physical checks to verify injection or doping issues. Also, medical development levels in Kazakhstan may be insufficient to identify root causes. Volunteers are now raising funds for concentration camp victims to pay their physical checks and recoveries. More importantly, they hope to uncover the truth by systematically documenting their symptoms.

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