By Uyghur Times Staff
October 18, 2024
The UK Labour Party has reversed its earlier stance on formally recognizing China’s treatment of Uyghurs as genocide ahead of David Lammy’s visit to Beijing this weekend. This shift is part of a broader diplomatic effort by Labour to improve relations with China.
For years, China has been accused of detaining Uyghurs in camps in the Uyghur homeland, where reports of torture, forced labor, and sexual abuse have emerged. The Chinese government, however, maintains that these camps are meant for “re-education” to combat “terrorism”.
Labour had previously supported a motion in Parliament declaring China’s actions genocide, pushing the government to seek formal recognition through the UN and other international channels. In 2021, Stephen Kinnock, then the shadow Asia minister, emphasized the need for the UK to take action, stating that relying on international courts would be ineffective as it requires China’s consent. Kinnock called for the UK to pursue legal routes, including seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the matter of genocide.
In 2023, Lammy reiterated Labour’s commitment to working multilaterally with international partners to pursue legal recognition of China’s actions as genocide. However, according to a government source cited by The Guardian, Labour has since dropped this formal push, aligning with the government’s position that genocide should be determined by competent international courts.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to raising concerns about human rights abuses in Uyghur region, stating that China continues to arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. The government aims to coordinate efforts with international partners to hold China accountable for these violations.
Lammy’s visit, confirmed by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, reflects a strategic shift in the UK’s approach to China. The visit follows the pattern set by previous UK prime ministers, with the goal of improving economic ties—currently valued at £110 billion annually—while maintaining engagement on high-level issues, as the US and EU have done.
This diplomatic recalibration has seen Labour soften its tough stance on Beijing, a move that contrasts with its earlier vocal advocacy for Uyghur rights.
This article is based on reporting from The Guardian.