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Question
The Uyghur tribunal investigates alleged genocide in the Xinjiang region. It started its hearings in June and will reconvene later this year. The press conference by Chinese authorities coerced relatives of exiles abroad to give false statements, intimidating UK citizens. Will the Government provide evidence to the tribunal? What is their assessment of Rodney Dixon's claims that Uyghurs are deported from third countries for atrocities? How do they support firms involved in surveillance and monitoring in Xinjiang?
Minister reply
The Minister welcomes initiatives raising awareness about Uyghur human rights but does not provide evidence due to the UK policy on genocide determinations. He is disturbed by intimidation attempts by Chinese authorities and has pointed Sir Geoffrey Nice to open-source information. The Government works with BEIS to exclude suppliers involved in human rights abuses, addressing concerns of the Business Committee.
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Question
I have lost count of the number of times I've urged stronger action against China's persecution of Uyghur people, yet the Government has failed to act adequately. What assessment has the Government made on evidence presented at the Uyghur tribunal? Will they testify or attend it? When will changes to the Modern Slavery Act be implemented and how is the export control review progressing?
Minister reply
The minister disagrees with the claim that no action has been taken, highlighting international statements and diplomatic efforts. Robust domestic measures include sanctions on Chinese officials since March 22. The government continues to follow the tribunal's work and engage with Sir Geoffrey Nice.
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Question
How is the minister working with international partners to combat China's suppression of Uyghur people, including torture and exploitation?
Minister reply
Yes, we are standing up for Britain. The government works with international partners as seen in visa offers, scholarships, export controls, extradition suspensions, parallel sanctions announcements, and forced labour measures. The G7 communiqué from the previous day shows our leadership.
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Question
The Uyghur tribunal deserves support; what practical measures will the government bring forward to assist witnesses and their relatives? Will there be a future statement or debate on the tribunal's recommendations?
Minister reply
We welcome initiatives that are balanced, rigorous, and raise awareness of Xinjiang issues. The minister stated they would continue engaging with Sir Geoffrey Nice and studying any reports from the tribunal.
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Question
What has the minister done to summon businesses and name-shame them for conducting business in Xinjiang, contributing to human rights violations?
Minister reply
We provide guidance to businesses regarding risks of operating in Xinjiang. It is expected that businesses take appropriate action based on these guidelines.
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Question
Would a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics send a clear signal to China about their transnational repression, as seen in recent reports?
Minister reply
No decisions have been made regarding attendance at the Winter Olympics.
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Question
For her bravery in giving evidence to the inquiry, a Uyghur woman had her family paraded on TV by Chinese authorities. Does the Minister agree that public support for the tribunal would be necessary?
Minister reply
We will continue to hold China accountable and welcome initiatives providing detailed information on Xinjiang issues, ensuring thoroughness and balance.
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Question
China appears to want only to crush dissent and suppress freedom of expression. How are the Government going to hold China to account? Will the Minister spell out the key measures that he is going to take to do so?
Minister reply
It is clear that China is an authoritarian state with different values from our own, and we are holding it to account through international efforts such as leading statements at the UN, ensuring reference in G7 communiqués, and working with partners across the world.
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Question
Does the Minister agree that the G7 communiqué and previous sanctions demonstrate international leadership on combatting Chinese rights abuses? What further practical actions can be taken?
Minister reply
The G7 communiqué called for China to respect human rights in Xinjiang, and global human rights sanctions were announced alongside 29 other countries. We will continue to work with partners to hold China accountable.
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Question
Will the Government commit to cooperating with and examining findings of the Uyghur tribunal, which found evidence of grave human rights violations including detention, persecution, and torture?
Minister reply
If China wants to dispute evidence of systematic violations in Xinjiang, it should allow UN High Commissioner for Human Rights or another independent body urgent access. We call out efforts by China to intimidate critics.
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Question
What steps is the Minister taking to rally further international support for action on Xinjiang, given that violations are not prevalent in public eye?
Minister reply
We will continue to work with partners to build an international caucus of those willing to speak out against human rights violations. We have led joint statements and UN human rights bodies.
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Question
What measures will the Minister take to protect witnesses who give evidence of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, including reports of intimidation by Chinese authorities?
Minister reply
We are disturbed by attempts to intimidate those giving testimony. We have called out behaviour and raised concerns with the Chinese embassy in London.
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Question
What is my hon. Friend doing about building a coalition of Muslim-majority countries, which seem to be silent on supporting their brothers and sisters in Xinjiang?
Minister reply
We are focused on engaging counterparts regularly to set out concerns about the situation in Xinjiang, and we seek support from as many countries as possible.
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Question
What are the Government doing to tackle gender-based violence against Uyghur women, including reports of forced sterilisation, abortions, and repeated sexual violence?
Minister reply
Gender-based violence is unacceptable. We work hard internationally on this area and commit significant support in countries where it is an issue.
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Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that the UK must uphold a clear, principles-led foreign policy acting in line with the integrated review which yielded its clear-eyed assessment of China as a ‘systemic challenge’?
Minister reply
Yes, we need to be clear-eyed about challenges posed by China while taking an overarching, balanced approach that seeks to manage disagreements and capitalise on opportunities.
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Question
In light of the harrowing evidence presented at the UK Uyghur tribunal, what discussions took place at the G7 summit regarding a special session of the UN Human Rights Council to investigate human rights violations in Xinjiang?
Minister reply
The communiqué called on China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms specifically in relation to Xinjiang. The recent communiqué by Foreign and Development Ministers also expressed deep concern about violations.
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Question
Has the EU been reluctant to cite camps in Xinjiang as part of the forced labour statement? Will our closest allies be united in condemning coercion of witnesses’ families?
Minister reply
We condemn intimidation of witnesses. The communiqué called on China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, specifically in relation to Xinjiang.
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Question
Arriving at the NATO summit in Brussels today, the Prime Minister said that nobody wants to “descend into a… cold war with China” and that, when people see challenges, they are things that we have to manage together with China. Can the Minister assure us that the Prime Minister will highlight the grotesque human rights abuses committed against the Uyghurs and that he recognises the importance of this matter in any dialogue with China?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady makes a good point. Of course, the Prime Minister is raising those issues. Let us be clear: our relationship with China remains clear-eyed. It is rooted in our values and is driven by our national interest. China is the world’s second largest economy. It is a member of the G20 and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. We have a policy of engagement with China and our approach towards China will remain consistent.
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Question
I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) on securing this urgent question and on his continued work in highlighting the appalling treatment of the Uyghur people by the Beijing regime. With that in mind, can the Minister outline to the House what steps the Government are taking to ensure that no UK businesses are complicit in human rights abuses in Xinjiang?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for that very good question. We have been engaging with businesses on these issues for some time. On 12 January, we launched a Minister-led campaign to reinforce the need for business to take action in line with our advice and also to encourage them to act to address the risk. We are also providing support and advice to public bodies, and these build on the existing measures that we have taken to respond to Xinjiang, including research funded by the UK to help build the evidence base. There are a number of additional reports that have recently been published that the United Kingdom Government have helped to finance.