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Human Rights: Xinjiang
22 April 2021
Lead MP
Nusrat Ghani
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 23
At a Glance
Nusrat Ghani raised concerns about human rights: xinjiang in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Ms. Nusrat Ghani opened the debate by highlighting the plight of Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, noting that China's sanctions against five MPs were an attempt to silence them but failed. She urged the House to recognise genocide based on evidence of mass detention, torture, reproductive rights violations, and forced child transfers as outlined in international law. She called for the Government to support independent tribunals investigating these crimes.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Sussex Weald
Ms. Nusrat Ghani detailed the genocide convention's criteria and presented evidence of killings, torture, poor living conditions in camps, forced sterilisations, and child transfers from families, emphasising that these actions meet legal definitions of genocide.
Yasmin Qureshi
Lab
Bolton South and Walkden
The situation in Xinjiang, China has repeatedly been highlighted by evidence of sterilisation, mass internment, organ harvesting, and modern-day slavery. The Government's current policy on genocide determination is untenable as there are no courts capable of hearing these cases. The speaker calls for a review and reform of this policy. Additionally, the Uyghur tribunal should be given full cooperation from the Government including evidence provision and acceptance of impartial judgment. There is also a call to sanction Chen Quanguo, who is believed to be responsible for atrocities in Xinjiang and Tibet. Yasmin Qureshi stresses the moral imperative to address genocide beyond party politics and highlights that other nations such as the US, Canada, and the Netherlands have recognised these events as genocide.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Congratulated his hon. Friend on securing the debate and leading the BEIS Committee inquiry; emphasised the need to call out China's human rights abuses, including forced organ harvesting, Uyghur slave labour, mass rape, and forced sterilisation. He cited evidence from Sir Geoffrey Nice QC and others that China is committing genocide against the Uyghurs and other minority groups. Urged the Government to declare this a genocide, as the US, Canada, and Holland have done.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Congratulates the hon. Member for Wealden on securing this debate, highlighting the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang as one of the most distressing human rights abuses. Emphasises that Uyghurs face harsh abuses during Ramadan and shares testimonies from survivors and witnesses of horrific human rights violations. Criticises the UK Government for not matching the gravity of the situation, noting that reports indicate China's actions contravene international conventions against genocide. Questions the sincerity of 'Global Britain' in light of the government’s decision to protect trade deals with countries committing human rights abuses. Urges the Government to support a genocide amendment and press China to close detention camps, cease surveillance, and allow independent access to Xinjiang.
Tim Loughton
Con
East Worthing and Shoreham
Supports the motion condemning human rights abuses in China, particularly focusing on the Uyghurs and Tibetans. He emphasises that these actions should not be seen as a trade-off against environmental concerns. Discusses historical genocides and calls for action beyond debate to prevent future atrocities. Criticises Chinese officials who are guilty of genocide and urges further sanctions against them. Highlights threats faced by Uyghur exiles in the UK due to intimidation from China and calls for more support for refugees. Warns about the influence of Confucius Institutes on British education institutions and their hidden agendas.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
East Renfrewshire
Congratulated the hon. Member for Wealden on bringing the debate and highlighted the work of a new campaign group co-founded by her constituent, Kirsty Robson, which challenges us to learn lessons from the holocaust and break the cycle of impunity for perpetrators that allows atrocities to continue. Acknowledged BBC journalist John Sudworth's work in exposing China’s persecution of the Uyghurs. Mentioned the existence of detention camps where 1 million or more Uyghurs are interned, facing severe abuse and forced labour. Emphasised the importance of recognising and acting on atrocities faced by ethnic and religious minorities in China.
Nigel Evans
Con
Carlisle
Asked speakers to keep their contributions within five minutes so that everyone could participate in the debate.
Andrew Lewer
Con
South Cambridgeshire
Paid tribute to colleagues who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the plight of Uyghurs. Stressed the need for Britain and other Western countries to critically assess their relationship with China, particularly in trade, investment, and education sectors. Highlighted the importance of reflecting on the role of embassy teams in promoting trade. Warned against setting up satellite schools in China due to human rights abuses and urged the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to reconsider its stance in educational matters.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Congratulates the hon. Member for Wealden on securing the debate; argues that what is happening to Uyghur people in Xinjiang constitutes genocide under international law, focusing particularly on abuses against women and children, including forced sterilisation and separation of families.
Pays tribute to the work of his hon. Friend on human rights abuses in Xinjiang; highlights the importance of recognising systematic suffering, developing a morally defensible policy towards China, and building alliances globally to protect ethical sustainability.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Urges the government to recognise the systematic persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang as genocide. The evidence is overwhelming, and it is time for decisive action including sanctions against complicit actors, and prioritising human rights over trade expediency.
Supports the motion, highlighting the importance of learning from historical atrocities such as the Holocaust. Emphasises that evidence points to serious human rights abuses against Uyghurs and calls for condemnation and action by the UK Government.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
All the speeches so far have been moving and powerful. I thank the Backbench Business Committee for enabling the debate... Members here today will not stand aside. Our Government must no longer stand aside in the face of these appalling crimes.
Tom Randall
Con
Dewsbury
May I add my congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Ms Ghani) on securing the debate? There are clearly human rights violations taking place in Xinjiang province in China... do everything we can to ensure that those who perpetrate these awful actions will never get away with it.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
I absolutely support the motion and congratulate the hon. Member for Wealden (Ms Ghani) on securing the debate... We must finally have the courage to condemn it as genocide and to take action to show China we will not tolerate it.
Mitcham and Morden
Congratulates the hon. Member for Wealden on her tireless support of Uyghur rights, denounces the Chinese government's human rights abuses against Uyghurs as genocide, criticises the embassy’s reply to a letter expressing horror at the situation, calls out the Minister's response as insufficient, demands stronger action from the Government including sanctions and strengthening of the Modern Slavery Act.
Describes the horrors faced by Uyghurs in Xinjiang, characterizes it as a genocide, calls for immediate action to stop these atrocities, emphasises the moral duty of free nations to uphold human rights and stand against oppression.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
Congratulates the hon. Member for Wealden on securing the debate, expresses frustration with insufficient action by the Government, calls for declaration of the situation as genocide, requests legislation to strengthen supply chain regulations under the Modern Slavery Act, and demands a full audit of UK's relationship with China.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
I congratulate the hon. Member for Wealden on setting the scene and all her colleagues in the magnificent seven who are prepared to take a stand in this House, in the other House and outside Parliament. Despite the Chinese Communist party’s attempts to conceal the unconscionable human rights abuses carried out in Xinjiang, we hold clear and irrefutable evidence of the atrocities being perpetrated against the Uyghurs there. I declare an interest as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for international freedom of religion or belief. In that role, I am aware of a systematic campaign against freedom of religious belief in China: the religious activities of the country’s more than 70 million Christians, 10 million Falun Gong and 8 million Tibetan Buddhists are also severely restricted, with widespread state surveillance, harassment and detention of religious leaders. The Chinese Government have created a stifling and intimidating environment for Tibetan Buddhists who wish to practise their religion, with surveillance, travel restrictions and re-education programmes. I believe it is time that the House called again, as it has in the past, for that to be ended as soon as possible. I ask three things of the Government. First, while I welcome Her Majesty’s Government’s introduction of targeted sanctions, much more needs to be done to hold the Chinese Communist party to account.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
Throughout this debate, we have all heard the harrowing stories of the mass human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. We have heard about the mass detention camps; forced labour; systematic campaigns of rape, sexual abuse and torture; forced sterilisation; the separation of children from their parents; the destruction of mosques; and the erasure of Uyghur culture. The Chinese Communist party has a shambolic record on human rights, with long-established repression of Christians, Tibetans and Falun Gong. Indeed, the lessons learned from the oppression of Tibetans have been applied in Xinjiang. Given such behaviour, what faith does the Minister have that China will allow full access to the Human Rights Commissioner to visit Xinjiang for a full and robust investigation into the genocide that appears to be taking place? Moreover, if China continues to be obstructive, what legislative action will the UK Government take? What can we learn from allies that seek to uphold the international rules-based order?
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberavon Maesteg
I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Wealden and express solidarity with those targeted by China. The Labour party condemns the oppression of Uyghur people, including mass surveillance, arbitrary detention, torture, forced sterilisation, child separation, religious suppression, and linguistic restrictions. There is credible legal evidence suggesting genocide in Xinjiang, but international courts are blocked due to China's opposition or lack of consent. We urge Parliament to take action by supporting the motion, which would instruct the British Government to comply with its legal duties under the 1948 genocide convention.
Nigel Adams
Con
Sherwood
Acknowledged the strength of feeling across the House regarding the situation in Xinjiang. Emphasised the grave concern at human rights violations, citing satellite imagery and reports by survivors and journalists. Noted that the UK has sanctioned four individuals responsible for violations and designated an organisation. Mentioned robust domestic measures to avoid complicity in forced labour through supply chains and increased diplomatic pressure on China.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Sussex Weald
Secured the debate, urging a unanimous vote to support her motion that Uyghurs and other minorities are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide. Called for action from the Government to fulfill its obligations under international law.
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