UPDATE: Uyghur activists in the UK are expressing profound outrage following Sir Keir Starmer’s recent visit to China, where he engaged in trade discussions despite the ongoing allegations of genocide against the Uyghur minority. This development comes as Starmer becomes the first UK leader to visit China since 2018, raising significant concerns among human rights advocates.
The visit, which began on October 15, 2023, has been met with accusations of betrayal from prominent Uyghur figures in the UK. Activists Rahima Mahmut and Aziz Isa Elkun have voiced their dismay, asserting that Starmer’s diplomatic overtures undermine the gravity of China’s treatment of Uyghurs. Mahmut stated, “Claiming economic benefit while shaking hands with those responsible for mass repression sends a devastating message to victims.”
During his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Starmer reportedly addressed the treatment of Uyghurs and the detention of pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai. However, critics argue that these talks do not mitigate the troubling optics of the visit. The United States State Department and the UK-based Uyghur Tribunal have both labeled China’s actions as genocide, citing extensive reports of torture, forced labor, and sexual abuse within the Xinjiang region.
Mahmut, who fled China in 2000, expressed her disappointment, stating, “This trip is a propaganda opportunity for the Chinese government to claim that everything is normal.” She added that the UK government’s shift in stance from a strong condemnation of China’s human rights abuses to a focus on trade represents a moral failure.
Elkun, who escaped Xinjiang in 1999, echoed these sentiments, criticizing the Labour Party for its apparent abandonment of human rights advocacy in favor of economic interests. He emphasized that “the British government cannot do normal business with a country committing genocide,” calling the visit a “betrayal of humanity.”
This urgent backlash follows a recent statement from the UN Human Rights Commission, which expressed “deep concern” over persistent allegations of forced labor against Uyghur and other minority groups. Experts have highlighted systematic monitoring and exploitation of Uyghurs under current Chinese policies, reinforcing the activists’ fears that Starmer’s visit will embolden further repression.
Despite criticisms, a Downing Street spokesperson stated that Starmer’s meeting with Xi aimed to foster a long-term strategic partnership beneficial to both nations. The UK and China also announced that UK citizens would be able to travel visa-free for business or tourism for trips under 30 days, alongside a significant investment of £10.9 billion from AstraZeneca in China by 2030.
The emotional toll of this situation is profound for many Uyghurs living in exile. Mahmut has not been in contact with her family members in China since January 2017, while Elkun experienced years of uncertainty regarding his mother’s fate after her detention. He lamented, “They are not allowed to speak freely; they cannot tell me about what they experienced in the camps.”
As the fallout from Starmer’s visit continues to unfold, Uyghur activists are calling for immediate action. They urge Starmer to leverage his position to advocate for the release of all Uyghur detainees and ensure fundamental human rights for the community. The implications of this visit are still developing, and the global community is watching closely as these human rights issues come to the forefront of international relations.
