New York, Feb. 6 -- The Chinese government is maintaining severe restrictions, conditions, and controls on Uyghurs who seek to travel abroad in violation of their internationally protected right to leave the country, the Human Rights Watch said in a report on Monday.

The report further said that the government has permitted Uyghurs in the diaspora to make restricted visits to Xinjiang, but with the apparent aim of presenting a public image of normalcy in the region.

"The modest thaw in China's travel restrictions has allowed some Uyghurs to briefly reunite with loved ones abroad after having no news for years, but the Chinese government's travel restrictions are still used to oppress Uyghurs in Xinjiang and in the diaspora," said Yalkun...