British Foreign Secretary David Lammy Faces Criticism for Silence on Uyghur Genocide in China

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is under fire for not explicitly condemning the Uyghur genocide during his recent meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, RFA reported yesterday.

Following the October 18 talks, the UK Foreign Office stated that human rights abuses, including those in Xinjiang, were discussed as a barrier to bilateral relations. However, opposition MPs criticized Lammy for failing to directly address the genocide, which the UK Parliament recognized in April 2021.

Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith emphasized the need for robust condemnation, highlighting ongoing human rights violations, including forced labor. Reports suggest a potential move within the Foreign Office to lift sanctions on Chinese officials linked to these abuses, prompting further backlash. Lammy defended his stance, asserting that discussions on human rights were a priority and that determinations of genocide should be left to international bodies. Advocacy groups continue to call for stronger action against China’s human rights violations.