Thread by @ipacglobal

BREAKING: UK Parliament unanimously declares the Chinese government is committing a Genocide against Uyghurs.

The UK joins the US, Canada and the Netherlands in declaring a #UyghurGenocide.

This is the first time a genocide declaration has passed the UK Parliament unopposed.

https://twitter.com/ipacglobal/status/1385229780593807365

#IPAC member and author of the motion @Nus_Ghani MP said:

“Today Parliament has spoken with one voice and called out the Chinese Communist Party’s brutal oppression of Uyghurs for what it is: a genocide... (1/2)

... The work does not stop here. We have a solemn obligation under the Genocide Convention to act to prevent further atrocities from taking place. History will not judge us kindly if we fail to do so.” (2/2)

#IPAC 🇺🇸 Co-Chair and Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee @SenatorMenendez said:

“Today the British Parliament has shone a light on the egregious abuses the Chinese state commits against the Uyghur people...

(1/2)

... We owe it to the victims of this genocide to call out the Chinese Communist Party’s brutal persecution of the Uyghurs. The free world must be united in holding the Chinese government to account for these abuses.”

(2/2)

#IPAC 🇺🇸 Co-Chair and Vice Chairman of the US Select Committee on Intelligence @SenRubioPress said:

“One by one, democratic nations are calling out the Chinese government’s persecution of the Uyghur people for what it is: a genocide...

(1/2)

... We cannot stand idly by while these horrific abuses continue. Democratic nations across the world must hold the Chinese Communist Party to account for its actions.”

(2/2)

#IPAC 🇪🇺 Co-Chair @MiriamMLex (1/2)

“The Chinese government has tried to silence parliamentarians across the democratic world. Today the British parliament has shown that this intimidation will not work...

... No matter what national or party affiliation we hold, we are united in condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s abuses against the Uyghurs and other groups.” (2/2)

#IPAC 🇦🇺 Co-Chair Senator @kimbakit

“Today’s vote in the British Parliament is a clear sign that the world is waking up to the suffering of the Uyghur people. The international community can no longer be idle in the face of this brutal repression... (1/2)

...Condemning the abuses is not enough. So long as governments fail to take meaningful action to hold those responsible to account then these atrocities will continue. We only need to look to history to see where this ends." (2/2)

#IPAC 🇬🇧 member @YasminQureshiMP:

“Today’s vote must mark a turning point. No one can still deny the scale of the abuses taking place in the Xinjiang region.”

"That this government is pursuing deeper trade ties with China while these abuses continue is unthinkable.”

#IPAC 🇱🇹 Co-Chair @DSakaliene:

"I come from a family of political prisoners and exiles - we will never forget the Soviet Communist regime and their Gulag system. Thus the sanctions and threats by the Chinese Communist regime do not scare us ...

(1/2)

... we shall stay strong demanding that Gulag-like Laogai camps shall be dismantled". (2/2)

#IPAC 🇨🇦 Co-Chair @GarnettGenuis MP:

“Today’s vote is another milestone in the long road for justice for the Uyghur people. One by one democratic parliaments around the world are beginning to recognise that the suffering of the Uyghurs is nothing short of genocide."

#IPAC 🇨🇦 co-chair @IrwinCotler:

We are delighted to see the UK Parliament join the US, Canada and the Netherlands with today's historic declaration. The government should heed the call and work common cause with allies to establish a fact-finding mission... (1/2)

... continue to sanction key officials and entities responsible for the genocide, ban forced labour-produced goods from the region, increase humanitarian aid and asylum for Uyghurs, and relocate the 2022 Olympic games.” (2/2)