British parliament declares Uygurs are suffering ‘genocide’ in Xinjiang
- The non-binding motion raises pressure on PM Boris Johnson, but an official says such a declaration is ‘a matter for the courts’
- World Uygur Congress director says ‘statements of solidarity mean a lot’ but ‘meaningful action’ is also needed
The British parliament has passed a non-binding motion declaring that Uygurs and other ethnic minorities in China’s Xinjiang region “are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide”, even as the government made clear it did not back the resolution.
The motion called on the British government “fulfil its obligations” under relevant United Nations conventions “to bring it to an end” and follows similar votes taken in the parliaments of the Netherlands and Canada.
While it ratchets up pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the motion does not represent a change in the government’s definition of the situation. Minister for Asia Nigel Adams told parliament that declaring genocide is “a matter for the courts”, such as the International Criminal Court or the International Court of Justice.
“A finding of genocide requires proof that relevant acts were carried out with the intent to destroy in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. Proving such intent to the required legal standard can be incredibly difficult to achieve in practice,” Adams said.
“For these reasons, we do not believe it’s right for the government to make a determination in this or any other case where genocide or crimes against humanity are alleged,” he added.
Adams reiterated the Johnson government’s “grave concern of the serious and widespread human rights violations occurring in the region”, calling for China to admit independent United Nations inspectors into Xinjiang.
Last year the US under the Trump administration became the first government to declare the situation in Xinjiang “genocide” – a stance backed by the new Biden administration after it assumed control in January.