French parliament condemns China’s Uygur treatment as ‘crimes against humanity and genocide’

The move follows a similar vote in the UK and Holland, which will not send officials to the Winter Olympics because of China’s human rights record

France’s motion also asked the government to protect Uygur residents in its country against any intimidation or harassment by China

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A watchtower is seen in May 2019 at a high-security facility in Xinjiang near what is believed to be a re-education camp where mostly people from Muslim ethnic minorities are detained. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:05am, 21 Jan 2022Updated: 3:51pm, 21 Jan 2022

France’s parliament passed an opposition-led motion asking the government to condemn China for “crimes against humanity and genocide” against its Uygur Muslim minority and to take foreign policy measures to make this stop.

The non-binding motion, led by the Socialist party and supported by several other opposition parties, was adopted with 169 votes for and one vote against.

Coming ahead of the start of the Winter Olympics in China, the motion also asked the government to protect Uygur residents in France against any intimidation or harassment by China.

The UK Parliament made a genocide declaration last April, however, the government has continued to refuse to make such a declaration.

Activists and UN rights experts say at least 1 million Muslims are being detained in camps in the remote western region of Xinjiang.

The activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations.

China denies any human rights abuses in Xinjiang and says its camps provide vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.

French parliament condemns China’s Uygur treatment as ‘crimes against humanity and genocide’

The move follows a similar vote in the UK and Holland, which will not send officials to the Winter Olympics because of China’s human rights record France’s motion also asked the government to protect Uygur residents in its country against any intimidation or harassment by China

The move follows a similar vote in the UK and Holland, which will not send officials to the Winter Olympics because of China’s human rights record

France’s motion also asked the government to protect Uygur residents in its country against any intimidation or harassment by China