To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make further representations to his Chinese counterpart on the abuse of the human rights of Uyghur Muslims in that country.
Answered on
16 July 2020
As I set out during an Urgent Question in the House of Commons on 29 June, we are seriously concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang. On 30 June, the UK read out a formal statement on behalf of 28 countries at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council highlighting arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance and restrictions, particularly those targeting Uyghurs and other minorities, and urged China to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights meaningful access to the region. On 9 March, the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi. We will continue to raise this issue with the Chinese authorities, both bilaterally with China and at the UN alongside our international partners.