Asked whether the Foreign Secretary intends to take steps to ensure that China’s actions against Uyghurs is recognised as genocide through international courts and by working with international partners, in accordance with his remarks in March 2023, the FCDO trots out their usual evasive circular argument. In Opposition, today’s Ministers voted to change the law on Genocide Determination. They should now stand up to the officials who try to use determination of atrocities as a diplomatic tool rather than honouring the obligations in the Genocide Convention.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL1751):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government whether the Foreign Secretary intends to take steps to ensure that China’s actions against Uyghurs is recognised as genocide through international courts and by working with international partners, in accordance with his remarks in March 2023. (HL1751)
Tabled on: 18 October 2024
Answer:
Baroness Chapman of Darlington:
It is the long-standing policy of the British Government that any judgment as to whether crimes against humanity or genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, rather than for governments or non-judicial bodies. It should be decided after consideration of all the evidence available in the context of a credible judicial process.
Regardless of any court’s decision, this Government will stand firm on human rights, including China’s repression of Uyghurs and others in Xinjiang. This includes raising our concerns at the highest levels of the Chinese government, and coordinating efforts with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations.
Date and time of answer: 31 Oct 2024 at 12:11.
