Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

China: Labour Programme in Tibet

07 October 2020 · 7 other contributors · 13,004 words

Opened by Iain Duncan Smith Con Chingford and Woodford Green

Responding minister: Nigel Adams

Foreign AffairsReligion & Faith

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Iain Duncan Smith raised concerns about china: labour programme in tibet in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Adrian Zenz has uncovered evidence of mandatory vocational training and forcible labour transfer schemes in Tibet involving over half a million labourers in seven months of 2020.
  • The report highlights similarities to practices in Xinjiang, including mass arbitrary detention and forced cultural assimilation aimed at eradicating ethnic identity.
  • The UK Government should consider sanctions and support independent international investigations into forced labour reports in Tibet.

Key requests to Government

The Government should look at mandatory sanctions such as travel bans or asset freezes for officials responsible for forced labour in Tibet and other areas, support amendment 68 to the Trade Bill nullifying trade arrangements if genocide is determined, demand reciprocal access for independent international investigation into forced labour reports, call for a UN special rapporteur on Tibet, take a stance against China's human rights abuses, and consider moving the Winter Olympics from China due to its oppressive policies.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Iain Duncan Smith Con Chingford and Woodford Green

Adrian Zenz has uncovered evidence of mandatory vocational training and forcible labour transfer schemes in Tibet, which involve driving out the sense of identity of indigenous people. Over half a million labourers were collected into camps in just seven months of 2020 under strict military management with enforced indoctrination and intrusive surveillance. The report highlights similarities to practices in Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, including mass arbitrary detention and forced cultural assimilation aimed at eradicating ethnic identity. There are also reports of persecution against Christians and Falun Gong practitioners involving severe torture and possible organ harvesting.

Other contributors (7)
  • Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland

    Concerned about reports from southern Mongolia regarding the start of cultural and linguistic oppression, similar to what has been reported in Tibet. Emphasised the importance of speaking out against such acts of repression. Carmichael welcomed the shift in attitude towards China but cautioned that criticism should not lead to isolation or demonisation. He highlighted the oppressive measures in Tibet, including a compulsory vocational training programme and forced labour transfer scheme with over 500,000 people enlisted in seven months of 2020 alone.

  • Fiona Bruce Con Congleton

    Ms Bruce congratulated the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green on securing this debate, expressing concern over human rights issues in Tibet. She noted that while the government was listening more than before, they still need to take action based on past recommendations from the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission's report on China's policies of political repression and cultural assimilation. Ms Bruce detailed reports of egregious breaches of human rights in Tibet, including forced labour and imprisonment. She urged the Minister to use global human rights sanctions against officials responsible for these abuses and called for UK businesses to conduct risk assessments regarding supply chains originating from regions affected by forced labour.

  • Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East

    Expressed concern over the Labour Programme in Tibet, highlighting issues such as forced labour, religious repression, and environmental damage. Mentioned that 500,000 Tibetans have been recruited into re-education programmes aimed at diluting Tibetan identity. Criticised China's destruction of Buddhist institutions like Larung Gar and Yachen Gar.

  • Patrick Grady Lab Glasgow North

    The MP praised the contributions of other Members and highlighted the report by Dr Adrian Zenz, which provided a new level of coverage on the treatment of Tibetan peoples. He emphasized the forced military-style training, environmental degradation, and coercive lifestyle changes imposed on Tibetans, calling it cultural genocide. The MP also discussed similar human rights abuses in Xinjiang and called for independent monitoring access for journalists and academics.

  • Stephen Kinnock Lab Aberavon Maesteg

    Stephen Kinnock criticised the UK government's approach towards China, describing it as naive and complacent. He highlighted disturbing statistics about the forced labour programme in Tibet involving half a million workers, and called for tangible actions to address human rights abuses.

  • Tim Loughton Con East Worthing and Shoreham

    Expressed deep concern about human rights abuses in Tibet, noting over one million Tibetan deaths since the Chinese invasion. Criticised environmental degradation and cultural suppression. Cited IPAC's report on forced labor policies targeting pastoralists and farmers. Highlighted restrictions on religious freedoms, travel, and language use.

  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    Ms Hobhouse expressed concern about human rights abuses in Tibet and the impact of Chinese policies on Tibetan pastoralists. She highlighted a report by Adrian Zenz on militarised vocational training, noting that these courses are used as pretext for undermining traditional Tibetan lifestyle. Ms Hobhouse called for Magnitsky sanctions against CCP members involved in such abuses and urged the Government to adopt reciprocal access to Tibet legislation. Hobhouse raised concerns about the potential undermining of Buddhist tradition and spiritual leadership in Tibet following the death of the Dalai Lama.

Government Response

Nigel Adams

The UK Government takes allegations about human rights violations seriously, including those related to the vocational training programme in Tibet. There is no evidence yet of mass internment or securitised environments similar to Xinjiang, but we are working closely with experts and international partners to understand the situation fully. The government has called for improved access for foreign visitors to Tibet and continues to urge China to respect fundamental rights. We have raised concerns at the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly, reflecting UK diplomatic leadership in addressing human rights issues.

Get updates like this by email
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy