Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

China: Human Rights

Tuesday 2 March 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Afzal Khan asked about progress on applying sanctions against Chinese officials for human rights violations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
  • Afzal Khan highlighted a BBC report on sexual violence in Xinjiang and questioned the delay in sanctioning Chinese officials.
  • The Foreign Secretary stated that the UK is considering further designations under the human rights sanctions regime but declined to speculate on future designations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from ongoing international concerns over human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, particularly targeting the Uyghur people and citizens of Hong Kong. The Foreign Secretary previously announced measures on January 12 to prevent British organisations from being complicit in these violations.

Question

What progress has been made on identifying and applying sanctions against senior Chinese Government officials responsible for human rights violations against (a) the Uyghur people and (b) Hong Kong citizens?

Answer from Nigel Adams

The Foreign Secretary announced targeted measures on 12 January to help ensure that no British organisations are complicit in the gross human rights violations occurring in Xinjiang. The United Kingdom continues to lead international action, including at the UN, to hold China to account.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details on sanctions against Chinese officials or timelines for future actions.

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Q2 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Foreign Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

The question is raised ahead of International Women's Day, highlighting a recent BBC report detailing sexual violence in Xinjiang. The hon. member references the use of Magnitsky sanctions against Myanmar and asks why similar actions have not been taken for Xinjiang.

Question

Ahead of International Women's Day, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the recent report by the BBC which highlighted the extensive use of sexual violence in Xinjiang. Can he explain why it is taking the Government so long to sanction Chinese officials? In light of recent Magnitsky sanctions in the case of Myanmar, can he explain why they have yet to be used in the case of Xinjiang?

Answer from Nigel Adams

We are carefully considering further designations under our human rights sanctions regime, but it is not appropriate to speculate on who may be designated in the future, as such speculation could reduce the impact of these sanctions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer avoids providing a concrete timeline or specific reasons for the delay.

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