After years of separation and legal battles spanning multiple continents, a Uyghur family has finally been reunited in Canada, marking the conclusion of a prolonged struggle against international detention and political pressure.
The ordeal began in July 2021 when Idris Hasan, a Uyghur man traveling from Turkey to Morocco, was detained upon arrival in Casablanca. Authorities informed him he faced deportation to China despite having committed no crime. His wife, Zeynure, received the devastating news during a brief phone call before communications were severed.
The couple, both ethnic Uyghurs from China’s Xinjiang region, had initially sought refuge in Turkey during the previous decade, believing they had escaped the religious and cultural restrictions they faced in their homeland. They established lives in Istanbul, where Zeynure worked as an English teacher while Idris contributed to preserving Uyghur culture through translation and design work.
Their sense of security shattered when Idris decided to leave Turkey after learning that Beijing was pressuring countries to detain and return Uyghur refugees. The attempt to relocate proved disastrous when Moroccan authorities arrested him based on an Interpol red notice issued at China’s request.
What followed was a determined campaign by Zeynure to secure her husband’s release. Despite warnings from relatives in China urging silence, she began organizing protests and leveraging international support networks. Her efforts eventually drew attention from human rights organizations and foreign governments.
The case took a dramatic turn in early 2025 when United States officials intervened, leading to Idris’s quiet release from Moroccan detention. He was transported to Washington DC, where he received protection. However, the family’s separation continued as U.S. immigration procedures would have kept them apart for years.
The breakthrough came when Canada granted the entire family permanent immigration status. Last month, after four years of uncertainty, Zeynure and their three children flew from Istanbul to Toronto, where Idris awaited their arrival.
The family’s experience highlights the challenges faced by Uyghur refugees abroad, where China’s international influence has complicated traditional asylum pathways. Their eventual reunion in Canada represents both a personal victory and a testament to persistent advocacy in the face of considerable political pressure.
