I have been horrified at the reports and footage from
Xinjiang and the oppression of the Uyghur people. Approximately one million
people have been detained and those who have escaped have given horrifying
testimony of religious persecution and torture, with shocking accusations of
women facing forced sterilisation, forced abortion and forced removal of their
wombs.
When the world is presented with such overwhelming evidence
of gross human rights abuses, nobody can turn a blind eye.
Last month, I took part in the debate in Parliament, calling on the Government to take action. Because if we look on, history will condemn our unforgivable cowardice and ask why those in power did not act.
In recent months I have brought this issue to the attention of the Prime Minister directly at PMQs, calling on him to lead the organisation of an independent tribunal. You can watch my question here.
I have also coordinated a cross-party letter to the Chinese Ambassador signed by over 140 MPs and Peers. The letter was covered by
the press and you can read more from iNews,
the Independent and CityAM.
A genocide of the Uyghurs by the Chinese Government is
happening before our eyes. Condemning the next world superpower is easy. But
taking action is harder. This time, no country can say they didn’t know.