Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: UK Government and Royal Family Should Boycott Uyghur “Genocide” Matches, Labor Party Says | World news

The royal family and British ministers are urged to boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over alleged human rights violations.
Labor says the measure is necessary unless China allows the UN to conduct a full investigation into the “systematic persecution” of Uyghur Muslims.
Beijing has rejected international allegations regarding the alleged atrocities in Xinjiang province.
But more than a million people have reportedly been arbitrarily detained – some allegedly tortured and forcibly sterilized.
Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dominique raab and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden have both been pressed to announce a political boycott.
But a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed that “no decision has been taken” regarding the participation of British government officials in the event.
Mr. Raab announced in March how four Chinese authorities would be punished for “appalling violations” human rights campaign against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.
The foreign minister described the atrocities as “one of the worst human rights crises of our time”.
And he warned that the world “cannot just look the other way.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy and Shadow Culture Secretary Jo Stevens wrote to their government counterparts asking them to demand “unhindered access” to the UN to conduct a “full, transparent investigation and independent “.
“We have constantly pressured the government to take stronger measures to deal with this appalling situation, including broader sanctions against senior officials responsible for what is happening in Xinjiang and more vigorous measures against it. forced labor, “Labor MPs said.
âWe now call on you to take the opportunity of the Games to advocate for unhindered UN access to Xinjiang in order to conduct a full, transparent and independent investigation.
“This has been requested on several occasions by the UK and other governments, but has yet to be achieved.
“If this is not granted, the UK government should not send ministers, royals or high officials to participate in official functions or ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics.”
The political boycott should be triggered if China does not grant inspectors access to Xinjiang by September 14 – the opening of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, Ms Nandy said the actions of Chinese authorities amounted to “genocide”.
âWe have the Winter Olympics coming at the end of this year and the government right now sleepwalking in a situation where it has issued very harsh words about what is happening to Uyghur Muslims in XinJiang,â he said. she declared.
“They say it is a crime against humanity, Parliament and we say it constitutes genocide.
âIt is so bad that we cannot roll out the red carpet and participate in what would be a major public relations stunt for the Chinese government by sending representatives of the royal family and the government to participate in the Winter Olympics.
“We should take this moment to tell the Chinese authorities, open access to XinJiang, allow UN inspectors to see what is happening to a million Uyghurs who are currently incarcerated there.
“And if you don’t, we won’t participate in this opening ceremony and send political representatives.”
But Labor did not call for a sports boycott, suggesting it would be unfair both to competitors who have trained for four years and to the Chinese people, who are not responsible for the situation.
Ms Nandy told Sky News that British athletes “should participate in the Winter Olympics if they choose to do so”.
A spokesperson for FCDO said: âThe government has denounced the gross human rights violations committed against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, most recently to the United Nations Human Rights Council alongside more than 40 countries.
“At this point, no decision has been taken regarding the UK government’s participation in the Beijing Olympic Winter Games in 2022.”