BEIJING / OTTAWA (Reuters) – The United States on Saturday condemned China’s sanctions against two American religious rights officials and a Canadian legislator in a dispute over Beijing’s treatment of Uighur Muslims and other minorities.
China’s measures “only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of genocide and crimes against humanity under way in Xinjiang. We stand in solidarity with Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU and other partners and allies around the world in calling on (China) to end human rights violations and abuses, ”said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in a statement.
Beijing’s sanctions followed those imposed by the United States, European Union, Britain and Canada earlier this week for what they call violations of the rights of Uighur Muslims and other Turkish minorities in China’s western Xinjiang region.
UN rights activists and experts say at least one million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. Activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labor and sterilization.
China has repeatedly denied all allegations of abuse and says its camps offer vocational training and are needed to fight extremism.
Blinken’s statement came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced Beijing and promised to defend human rights.
China sanctioned Canadian opposition MP Michael Chong, vice chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development and its International Human Rights Subcommittee, which this month presented a report concluding that the atrocities in Xinjiang are crimes against humanity and genocide.
Beijing also said it would take action against the president and vice president of the United States International Religious Liberty Commission, Gayle Manchin and Tony Perkins.
Individuals under Beijing sanctions are prohibited from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, and Chinese citizens and institutions are prohibited from doing business with the three individuals or having any exchanges with the subcommittee.
“The Chinese government is firmly determined to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests, and urges the relevant parties to clearly understand the situation and correct their mistakes,” said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
“They must stop political manipulation on issues related to Xinjiang, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs in any way and avoid going further on the wrong track. Otherwise, they will have their fingers burned. “
China’s previous sanctions on US individuals who, she said, have seriously undermined China’s sovereignty and interests in matters related to Xinjiang, remain in force.
Chong, who is a member of the opposition Conservative Party in Canada, said he would “use (the sanctions) as a medal of honor”.
“This demonstrates that parliamentarians are being effective in drawing attention to the genocide of the Uighur people that is taking place in western China,” said Chong in a telephone interview.
Chong urged the Trudeau government to “officially recognize the Uighur genocide” and said the sanctions would have no practical effect because he had no plans to travel to China.
Reporting by Ryan Woo in Beihing and Steve Scherer in Ottawa; additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Cynthia Osterman