08 July,2009 08:59 AM IST | | PTI
An exiled Uighur leader is blaming the Chinese government for the rising tensions and ethnic violence in China. Rebiya Kadeer spoke to Uighur supporters at a rally in downtown Washington yesterday.
About 100 people chanted "Shame on China'' as they marched to the Chinese Embassy. Chinese authorities have accused Kadeer of inciting violence between Muslim Uighurs and ethnic Han Chinese.
At least 156 people have been killed since the riots broke out Sunday in China's Xinjiang region. Kadeer disputes the number of fatalities and says she believes at least 500 people have been killed.
Kadeer says she is seeking a stronger statement from the U.S.government about the violence.
