A Uyghur demonstrator at a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Istanbul, 2019. Photograph: Huseyin Aldemir/Reuters

Dr Gillian Hughes, Dr Charlotte Burck, Dr Julia Nelki and Julia Granville the on the Uyghur Tribunal and David Lammy’s visit to China

Oct. 30 2024, The Guardian

We were deeply disturbed to read your report about David Lammy’s visit to China that highlighted how our Labour government – headed by a human rights lawyer – has decided to backtrack on plans for formal recognition of acts of genocide in order to facilitate trade deals with China (Labour backtracks on push for genocide ruling on China’s treatment of Uyghurs, 17 October).

For six days in 2021 we attended the Uyghur Tribunal, during which numerous shocking testimonies were presented. We had been asked to provide psychological support to those giving evidence, in recognition of the emotional demands of participation. The courage of those who took part was breathtaking – many spoke of the risk to their lives and to their family members’ lives in participating. We heard accounts of forcible sterilisation, imprisonment and sadistic torture.

The tribunal ruled that the actions of the Chinese state amounted to genocide, crimes against humanity and torture in the Uyghur region. This offered crucial acknowledgment to the Uyghur community and provided robust evidence to democratic governments around the world.

We are in despair that Mr Lammy and the Labour party, who were clear about their intention to pursue legal routes in 2023, have changed position.

As Siobhain McDonagh put it in the Commons in January 2022: “If we look on, history will condemn our unforgivable cowardice and ask why those in power did not act, because this time, no one can say that they did not know.”
Dr Gillian Hughes, Dr Charlotte Burck, Dr Julia Nelki, Julia Granville