Question

What do the conflicts in Xinjiang, Chechnya, and Quebec have in common, and how do they differ?

Answer 1

In all three areas ethnic minorities are trying to achieve some degree of autonomy or independence. In Quebec the movement is peaceful and political, and some people are now satisfied with protected language rights within the Canadian confederation while some still want independence for Quebec. In Xinjiang the Uighur minority wants independence from China; due to lack of political options the movement has used sporadic violence and terrorism to achieve its ends. Only in Chechnya has the independence movement spilled over into civil war with terrorism in other parts of Russia.