Treatment of Uyghur Women: Xinjiang Detention Camps Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Treatment of Uyghur Women: Xinjiang Detention Camps

Janet Daby Excerpts
Thursday 4th February 2021

(3 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Janet Daby Portrait Janet Daby (Lewisham East) (Lab) [V]
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We have heard of the Chinese regime carrying out forced sterilisations on Uyghur women as well as carrying out forced abortions and tearing children from their mothers. As if it could not get any worse, we now know they are systematically raping and torturing women in their detention camps; nowhere is safe for them. As we approach the next stage of the Trade Bill, now is the time for the Government to accept Lord Alton’s amendment to finally call this programme of abuse what it is: genocide. If the Minister’s Department continues to refuse, what exactly is it waiting for China to do before it takes this action?

Nigel Adams Portrait Nigel Adams
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The hon. Lady is right to raise the deeply disturbing reports of forced sterilisation; we had a debate in this place late last year on the issue. It adds to the growing body of evidence about the disturbing situation that Uyghurs in Xinjiang and other minorities are facing. I can assure the hon. Lady that the Government fully understand the strength of feeling on this matter; that is why we are looking to work to ensure that the relevant debate and scrutiny can take place in Parliament, where there are credible concerns about genocide in defined circumstances.