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dpa
Paris
China’s treatment of the Uighur minority is a form of genocide, according to a resolution passed in France’s National Assembly on Thursday.
The vote was 169-1.
China has come under increasing criticism for alleged abuses against the largely Muslim ethnic group - all of which it denies - which is turning into an even bigger diplomatic headache as the Winter Olympics, which Beijing is hosting next month, draw near.
People who have escaped the Xinjiang region that is home to many Uighurs allege that people are rounded up and sent to facilities - dubbed re-education centres - where they are forced to stop behaviour associated with Uighur culture. Violations that could send a person to such a centre include growing a long beard or being actively religious.
China has accused some Uighur groups of backing separatist causes and even of being behind terrorist attacks.
The French resolution calls for an end to the repression, which they call a crime against humanity. They also urged the French government to exercise pressure on China on the matter and to also declare the treatment of the Uighurs to be genocide.
Franck Riester, France’s minister delegate for trade, told lawmakers that the government is not responsible for declaring the legal designation on this issue. But he did speak of serious human rights violations and cited witnesses.
He said France has condemned the practices at multiple levels, has called for their end and tried to get the matter on the international agenda.
Paris
China’s treatment of the Uighur minority is a form of genocide, according to a resolution passed in France’s National Assembly on Thursday.
The vote was 169-1.
China has come under increasing criticism for alleged abuses against the largely Muslim ethnic group - all of which it denies - which is turning into an even bigger diplomatic headache as the Winter Olympics, which Beijing is hosting next month, draw near.
People who have escaped the Xinjiang region that is home to many Uighurs allege that people are rounded up and sent to facilities - dubbed re-education centres - where they are forced to stop behaviour associated with Uighur culture. Violations that could send a person to such a centre include growing a long beard or being actively religious.
China has accused some Uighur groups of backing separatist causes and even of being behind terrorist attacks.
The French resolution calls for an end to the repression, which they call a crime against humanity. They also urged the French government to exercise pressure on China on the matter and to also declare the treatment of the Uighurs to be genocide.
Franck Riester, France’s minister delegate for trade, told lawmakers that the government is not responsible for declaring the legal designation on this issue. But he did speak of serious human rights violations and cited witnesses.
He said France has condemned the practices at multiple levels, has called for their end and tried to get the matter on the international agenda.
