China sanctions: Boris Johnson praises MPs censured by Beijing for ‘shining a light’ on human rights abuses

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Boris Johnson today hailed MPs sanctioned by China and praised their role in “shining a light on the gross human rights violations being perpetrated against Uyghur Muslims”.

The Prime Minister stressed that he stood “firmly with them” and other British citizens targeted by Beijing in tit-for-tat restrictions.

As relations between the UK and China hit a new low, Mr Johnson tweeted: “The MPs and other British citizens sanctioned by China today are performing a vital role shining a light on the gross human rights violations being perpetrated against Uyghur Muslims.

“Freedom to speak out in opposition to abuse is fundamental and I stand firmly with them.”Mr Tugendhat added: “Attempting to silence those elected by the British people is a direct assault of British democracy and our sovereignty.”

It came after senior MPs hit by the sanctions vowed that they would not be silenced from exposing China’s human rights abuses.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith tweeted that it was the “duty” of MPs to “call out the Chinese Govt’s human rights abuse in #HongKong & the genocide of the #Uyghurs.”

He added that if that led to a response from the Beijing he would “wear that badge of honour”.

Tom Tugendhat, Conservative chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee, emphasised that China was imposing sanctions on “individuals who defend the human rights of Chinese citizens”.

Beijing lashed out days after Britain, the US, Canada and the European Union on Monday slapped sanctions on Chinese officials deemed responsible for human rights abuses in the country’s autonomous north-west territory.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced a package of travel bans and asset freezes against four senior officials and the state-run Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Public Security Bureau (XPCC PSB).

The Foreign Secretary said the abuse of the Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang was “one of the worst human rights crises of our time” and the international community “cannot simply look the other way”.

But China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleged in a statement early on Friday that the move by Mr Raab was “based on nothing but lies and disinformation, flagrantly breaches international law and basic norms governing international relations, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs, and severely undermines China-UK relations”.

The ministry said it had sanctioned nine people and four British institutions that it claimed “maliciously spread lies and disinformation”.

Mr Duncan Smith, Tory MP Neil O’Brien, Lord David Alton, Conservative MPs Tim Loughton and Nusrat Ghani, Labour’s Baroness Helena Kennedy, barrister Geoffrey Nice, Joanne Nicola Smith Finley, and Mr Tugendhat were the individuals sanctioned.

The groups were the China Research Group, the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, Uyghur Tribunal and Essex Court Chambers.

“As of today, the individuals concerned and their immediate family members are prohibited from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao of China, their property in China will be frozen, and Chinese citizens and institutions will be prohibited from doing business with them,” the ministry said, adding it “reserves the right to take further measures”.

The ministry also said it had summoned the UK’s ambassador to China, Caroline Wilson, “to lodge solemn representations, expressing firm opposition and strong condemnation”.

However, Mr Duncan Smith tweeted this morning: “It’s our duty to call out the Chinese Govt’s human rights abuse in #HongKong & the genocide of the #Uyghurs.

“Those of us who live free lives under the rule of law must speak for those who have no voice. If that brings the anger of China down on me, I’ll wear that badge of honour.”

Mr Tugendhat wrote: “Britain puts sanctions on individuals for violating the human rights of Chinese citizens. China puts sanction on for individuals who defend the human rights of Chinese citizens. The contrast is clear.”

Ms Ghani told the Today programme: “This is a wake-up call for all democratic countries and lawmakers that we will not be able to conduct our day-to-day business without China sanctioning us for just attempting to expose what’s happening in Xinjiang and the abuse against the Uighurs.

“To sanction MPs who are just doing their jobs here in the UK is extraordinary.“I know I won’t be intimidated, this has now made me feel even more determined to speak about the Uighur.”

Mr Raab said: “It speaks volumes that, while the UK joins the international community in sanctioning those responsible for human rights abuses, the Chinese government sanctions its critics.

“If Beijing want to credibly rebut claims of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, it should allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights full access to verify the truth. “

In announcing his sanctions on Monday, Mr Raab told the Commons that state control in Xinjiang is systemic.

“Over a million people have been detained without trial, there are widespread claims of torture and rape in the camps, based on first-hand survivor testimony,” he said.

“I’m sure the whole House will join me in condemning such appalling violations of the most basic human rights.”

The EU had earlier announced its own sanctions, with Beijing responding by denouncing them as “based on nothing but lies and disinformation” and targeting its own measures at 10 individuals - including five MEPS - and four institutions.

The timing of Mr Raab’s announcement came as the Government was under pressure to take a tougher stance on Beijing.

The Government faced a potential Tory revolt with backbenchers prepared to support an amendment to the Trade Bill aimed at preventing ministers signing a deal with countries involved in genocide.

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