Early life
In 1994, while Celil was living in Xinjiang, he was arrested and imprisoned by Chinese police. Celil maintains that his arrest and imprisonment were for his political activities and human rights work,[2] and police tortured him during his incarceration.[3]
He escaped from China by way of Kyrgyzstan and Turkey, and sought asylum in Ankara through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. After the UNHCR granted him refugee status pursuant to the Geneva Convention, the Government of Canada designated him a refugee and gave him citizenship.[4]
He arrived in Canada in 2001 and acquired Canadian citizenship, living in Hamilton, Ontario.[1] He lived in Canada with his wife, Kamila Telendibayeva, and three of his six children.
He says the Chinese government prevented his other three children from emigrating to Canada.[5] As of June 2006, his wife Kamila was reported to be pregnant with their seventh child.[6]
In 1994, while Celil was living in Xinjiang, he was arrested and imprisoned by Chinese police. Celil maintains that his arrest and imprisonment were for his political activities and human rights work,[2] and police tortured him during his incarceration.[3]
He escaped from China by way of Kyrgyzstan and Turkey, and sought asylum in Ankara through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. After the UNHCR granted him refugee status pursuant to the Geneva Convention, the Government of Canada designated him a refugee and gave him citizenship.[4]
He arrived in Canada in 2001 and acquired Canadian citizenship, living in Hamilton, Ontario.[1] He lived in Canada with his wife, Kamila Telendibayeva, and three of his six children.
He says the Chinese government prevented his other three children from emigrating to Canada.[5] As of June 2006, his wife Kamila was reported to be pregnant with their seventh child.[6]