Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the new infrastructure built in Xinjiang to imprison Uyghur Muslims; and what steps he is taking to help support the human rights of Uyghurs.

We are closely monitoring reports suggesting additional detention camps are being constructed in Xinjiang. The UK plays a leading role in drawing attention to the deeply concerning situation in Xinjiang. On 30 June, the UK read out a formal statement on behalf of 28 countries at the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council highlighting arbitrary detention, widespread surveillance and restrictions, particularly those targeting Uyghurs and other minorities, and urging China to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights meaningful access to Xinjiang. On 28 July, the Foreign Secretary raised our serious concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi. We will continue to raise our concerns with China bilaterally, and through the UN working alongside international partners.