Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Human Rights Violations against Uyghurs: Sanctions

Tuesday 15 June 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • James Murray asked about plans to extend Magnitsky-style sanctions to Chen Quangou.
  • The Foreign Secretary announced sanctions against Chinese officials and an entity responsible for human rights violations in Xinjiang on 22 March.
  • The UK Government policy is that the determination of genocide should be made by a competent court.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Murray Labour (Co-op) Ealing North
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question pertains to extending Magnitsky-style sanctions to Chen Quangou, the Party Secretary of Xinjiang region in China, due to alleged involvement in human rights abuses.

Question

What plans does he have to extend Magnitsky-style sanctions to Chen Quangou, Party Secretary of Xinjiang region in China, in response to his alleged involvement in human rights violations against the Uyghur?

Answer from Nigel Adams

On 22 March, the Foreign Secretary announced global human rights sanctions against four Chinese officials and one entity responsible for serious human rights violations in Xinjiang. We did so alongside the United States, Canada and the European Union, sending a powerful message to China about the strength of international concern. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will continue to keep all potential evidence and listings under close review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request to extend sanctions to Chen Quangou was not directly addressed.

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Q2 James Murray Labour (Co-op) Ealing North
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question pertains to the UK Government's stance on recognizing the Chinese Government's persecution of the Uyghur people as a genocide.

Question

While we wait for the Government to take further action on sanctions against individuals, I would like to press the Minister on whether the UK Government will follow this House and the US and Canadian Governments in declaring the Chinese Government's persecution of the Uyghur people to be a genocide.

Answer from Nigel Adams

As the hon. Member probably knows, we do not shy from taking action. We have led international efforts to hold China to account. It is the long-standing policy of several Governments of the United Kingdom that the determination of genocide should be by a competent court.

Not addressed: The specific request for recognition as genocide was not addressed, instead referring to the UK's stance on judicial determinations.

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