Abstract:

In this presentation, I will discuss the adaptation of the classic anthropological method of in-depth and semi-structured interviewing for working with survivors of re-education camps in XUAR and their relatives. Activists, anthropologists, human rights researchers, and journalists primarily gather data from former detainees, witnesses, relatives, and existing testimonies. In the case of camp victims from XUAR, anthropologists employ remote ethnography to comprehensively understand the human rights catastrophe. I will explore different target audiences for interviewers of varied backgrounds and their common objectives. While participant observation is a key method in classic anthropology, interviews serve as a crucial component of the ethnographic process. However, journalists and activists often require quicker data analysis. Additionally, the interviewer's positionality, timing, location, and circumstances may significantly influence the process. The method of interviewing, as a key tool to gather information, must be applied carefully when working with sensitive information for victims, emphasizing empathy and avoiding harm to both interviewers and interviewees. This presentation compares interviewing methods (including narrative analysis), ethics, and challenges when working with victims of incarceration, colonial legacies, and differing cultural backgrounds.