MPs have urged the government to prevent Erkin Tuniyaz, a senior Chinese official accused of overseeing grave human rights violations in Xinjiang, from visiting the United Kingdom. They argue that a private prosecution should be permitted against him if the trip proceeds.
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in Xinjiang to be “victims of crimes against humanity and genocide.” The United Nations has accused China of “serious violations of human rights” and possible crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, with human rights groups believing that more than one million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been detained in camps. China refutes allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang, stating that the camps are “learning facilities” for deradicalization.
Seven cross-party MPs have signed a letter to Attorney General Victoria Prentis requesting that she “give serious consideration” to a request to approve a private prosecution against Mr. Tuniyaz. This week, attorneys for Erbakit Ortaby, a Kazakh residing in the United Kingdom, filed the request. Mr. Ortabay claims he was detained in one of China’s “internment camps” in Xinjiang, where he was arbitrarily detained for several months, forced to perform labour, and tortured.
Foreign Office Minister Leo Docherty stated in the House of Commons that Mr. Tuniyaz may arrive in the United Kingdom over the weekend and meet with Foreign Office officials the following week. According to him, ministers will not meet with Mr. Tuniyaz, but they have approved a meeting with Foreign Office officials as part of a “robust pragmatism” policy. MPs jeered Mr. Docherty as he explained that Mr. Tuniyaz may travel on a diplomatic passport and therefore cannot be denied entry because he has not been sanctioned by the United Kingdom.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Bryant, and Alistair Carmichael are three of the seven members of Parliament who signed the letter to the Attorney General. In their letter, they state that they have been informed that “evidence has been submitted” to the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team “for investigation and possible action when Mr. Tuniyaz arrives on Sunday.” Earlier, Iain Duncan-Smith referred to Mr. Tuniyaz’s potential meeting with UK officials as a “propaganda coup” for the Chinese government, urging the government to sanction him and stating that a tribunal or court of law was the appropriate venue for taking action.
The official spokesman for the prime minister told reporters, “My understanding is that FCDO officials are meeting with the governor of Xinjiang to make clear the UK’s abhorrence over the treatment of the Uyghur people and to emphasise that we will not stop exposing the horrors to which they are subjected.”
Erkin Tuniyaz, a senior Chinese official accused of overseeing grave human rights violations in Xinjiang, is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom, and cross-party lawmakers have urged the government to block his visit. The United Nations has accused China of “serious violations of human rights” and possible crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, with human rights groups believing that more than one million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been detained in camps. Seven representatives have signed a letter to the Attorney General requesting that she give “serious consideration” to a request to authorise a private prosecution against Mr. Tuniyaz.
Foreign Office Minister Leo Docherty stated that Mr. Tuniyaz may arrive in the United Kingdom over the weekend and meet with Foreign Office officials the following week. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Bryant, and Alistair Carmichael are three of the seven members of Parliament who signed the letter to the Attorney General. Iain Duncan-Smith referred to the potential meeting between Mr. Tuniyaz and British officials as a “propaganda coup” for the Chinese government, stating that legal action should be taken in a tribunal or court of law.
The official spokesman for the prime minister stated, “My understanding is that FCDO officials are meeting with the governor of Xinjiang to convey the UK’s abhorrence for the treatment of the Uyghur people and to emphasise that we will not relent in exposing the horrors to which they are subjected.”
MPs are urging the government to block the planned visit of Erkin Tuniyaz, a senior Chinese official accused of overseeing grave violations of human rights in Xinjiang. Due to evidence that Mr. Tuniyaz was directly responsible for implementing policies intended to restrict the fundamental rights and liberties of Uyghurs, seven members of parliament from different parties have signed a letter to the Attorney General requesting that she give serious consideration to approving a private prosecution against him.
Foreign Office Minister Leo Docherty stated that Mr. Tuniyaz may arrive in the United Kingdom over the weekend and meet with Foreign Office officials the following week.
