Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of China's Xinjiang region, is believed to have cancelled his controversial trip to the United Kingdom (UK), the Foreign Office said on Tuesday (February 15). Tuniyaz was supposed to visit the UK this week and meet with Foreign Office officials- a move that sparked anger among British lawmakers. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a spokesperson from the Foreign Office said "we understand the Governor of Xinjiang has cancelled his visit to the UK." The spokesperson added that the government would continue to use all opportunities to act against China's human rights abuses in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

Last week, the MPs tabled an urgent question to quiz the Rishi Sunak government about why Tuniyaz was allowed to travel (to the UK) and why he was meeting with the above officials. In response, Foreign Office Minister Leo Docherty said the government did not invite Xinjiang's governor to the UK, and that the meeting would have been the opportunity to send a very strong message to someone who was involved in the governance of this Chinese region. &nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/50-countries-at-un-condemn-china-for-xinjiang-human-rights-violations-530081">50 countries at UN condemn China for Xinjiang human rights violations</a>

"Under no circumstances would he be dignified with a ministerial meeting," Docherty added and pointed out that China's actions in Xinjiang were of course abhorrent and the government would not legitimise them in any way. In 2022, the British Parliament passed a non-binding declaration that crimes against humanity and genocide were being committed in Xinjiang.&nbsp;

For years, China has been accused by rights groups and many governments around the world of abuses against Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority that has a population of around 10 million in Xinjiang. A recent report by the United Nations (UN)&nbsp;found credible allegations of torture and forced labour in the region. However, Beijing for long has denied all allegations and claimed that the United States (US) and Western allies have been using the issue as a "political tool", AFP reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Xinjian Governor Erkin Tuniyaz has defended the Chinese government's "de-radicalisation" policies in the country's northwest, including the use of detention facilities. In 2021, Tuniyaz was sanctioned by the US with the Treasury Department saying that during his tenure, over one million Uyghurs and members of other predominantly Muslim ethnic minority groups had been detained in the region.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of China's Xinjiang region, is believed to have cancelled his controversial trip to the United Kingdom (UK), the Foreign Office said on Tuesday (February 15).

Erkin Tuniyaz, the governor of China's Xinjiang region, is believed to have cancelled his controversial trip to the United Kingdom (UK), the Foreign Office said on Tuesday (February 15). Tuniyaz was supposed to visit the UK this week and meet with Foreign Office officials- a move that sparked anger among British lawmakers. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a spokesperson from the Foreign Office said "we understand the Governor of Xinjiang has cancelled his visit to the UK." The spokesperson added that the government would continue to use all opportunities to act against China's human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Last week, the MPs tabled an urgent question to quiz the Rishi Sunak government about why Tuniyaz was allowed to travel (to the UK) and why he was meeting with the above officials. In response, Foreign Office Minister Leo Docherty said the government did not invite Xinjiang's governor to the UK, and that the meeting would have been the opportunity to send a very strong message to someone who was involved in the governance of this Chinese region. ALSO READ | 50 countries at UN condemn China for Xinjiang human rights violations "Under no circumstances would he be dignified with a ministerial meeting," Docherty added and pointed out that China's actions in Xinjiang were of course abhorrent and the government would not legitimise them in any way. In 2022, the British Parliament passed a non-binding declaration that crimes against humanity and genocide were being committed in Xinjiang. For years, China has been accused by rights groups and many governments around the world of abuses against Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority that has a population of around 10 million in Xinjiang. A recent report by the United Nations (UN) found credible allegations of torture and forced labour in the region. However, Beijing for long has denied all allegations and claimed that the United States (US) and Western allies have been using the issue as a "political tool", AFP reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Xinjian Governor Erkin Tuniyaz has defended the Chinese government's "de-radicalisation" policies in the country's northwest, including the use of detention facilities. In 2021, Tuniyaz was sanctioned by the US with the Treasury Department saying that during his tenure, over one million Uyghurs and members of other predominantly Muslim ethnic minority groups had been detained in the region. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

After row over Uyghur abuse, Xinjiang's Governor Tuniyaz cancels controversial UK trip

Western leaders are currently discussing whether to table a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for an independent probe into human rights abuses by China in Xinjiang, the Guardian has reported.

A meeting of the Human Rights Council (HRC) started last week in Geneva and will end on October 7.

A lot of options are being considered apart from the draft resolution for an independent inquiry. For example, talks are also on for calling a special session of the HRC to discuss the Xinjiang issue.

However, there is a possibility of the draft being defeated even before it reaches the discussion table, as China has already mobilised its allies.

On Tuesday, the Chinese ambassador in Geneva issued a statement, backed by 30 countries, accusing the UN rights office of acting without a mandate and warning of the exaggeration of “an existing trend to western polarisation and politicisation of human rights”.

Chinese ambassador Chen Xu said that any resolution is condemned to defeat.

The HRC has 47 member states, and according to the Guardian, only eight of the 30 signatories to the Chinese missive are the voting members.

Experts believe that a call for an independent probe may not see the light of the day as around 14 would be backing the draft, while roughly 15 to 18 nations supporting China’s stance.

The latest maneuverer by the Western leaders follows a report published by the outgoing UN human rights commissioner, Michelle Bachelet, on her last day in office– 31 August – saying that there was clear evidence of crimes against humanity committed by China during its suppression of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province.

This is for the first time that the UN came out with such a report making allegations against China.

The report claimed to have found evidence of systemic discrimination, mass arbitrary detention, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Western leaders are currently discussing whether to table a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for an independent probe into human rights abuses by China in Xinjiang, the Guardian has reported.

Western leaders are currently discussing whether to table a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for an independent probe into human rights abuses by China in Xinjiang, the Guardian has reported. A meeting of the Human Rights Council (HRC) started last week in Geneva and will end on October 7. A lot of options are being considered apart from the draft resolution for an independent inquiry. For example, talks are also on for calling a special session of the HRC to discuss the Xinjiang issue. However, there is a possibility of the draft being defeated even before it reaches the discussion table, as China has already mobilised its allies. On Tuesday, the Chinese ambassador in Geneva issued a statement, backed by 30 countries, accusing the UN rights office of acting without a mandate and warning of the exaggeration of “an existing trend to western polarisation and politicisation of human rights”. Chinese ambassador Chen Xu said that any resolution is condemned to defeat. The HRC has 47 member states, and according to the Guardian, only eight of the 30 signatories to the Chinese missive are the voting members. Experts believe that a call for an independent probe may not see the light of the day as around 14 would be backing the draft, while roughly 15 to 18 nations supporting China’s stance. The latest maneuverer by the Western leaders follows a report published by the outgoing UN human rights commissioner, Michelle Bachelet, on her last day in office– 31 August – saying that there was clear evidence of crimes against humanity committed by China during its suppression of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province. This is for the first time that the UN came out with such a report making allegations against China. The report claimed to have found evidence of systemic discrimination, mass arbitrary detention, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

West mulling to table resolution at UN against China’s abuses in Xinjiang

China's President Xi Jinping visited Xinjiang for the first time in eight years. Xinjiang is home to the ethnic Uighur minority and China has been accused of human rights violation in the region.

China: Xi Jinping visits Xinjiang after 8 years

47 countries have voiced their concern at alleged abuses in China's Xinjiang region and demanded that UN rights chief publish a long detailed report on the situation there.

47 countries call out China over 'Xinjiang Abuses'

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xinjiang abuses

After row over Uyghur abuse, Xinjiang's Governor Tuniyaz cancels controversial UK trip

West mulling to table resolution at UN against China’s abuses in Xinjiang

China: Xi Jinping visits Xinjiang after 8 years

47 countries call out China over 'Xinjiang Abuses'