United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that China’s same-currency sanctions against two Americans in the growing dispute over Beijing’s treatment of Uighurs were “unfounded” and would only illuminate the “genocide” in Xinjiang.
“Beijing’s attempts to intimidate and silence those who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms only contribute to the growing international scrutiny of ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang,” Blinken said in a statement on Saturday.
He spoke after China announced sanctions against two Americans, a Canadian and a human rights body, in response to the sanctions imposed this week by the two countries on Beijing’s treatment of the Uighur minority.
Blinken called the sanctions on the two members of the United States International Religious Liberty Commission “unfounded”.
At least one million Uighurs and people from other predominantly Muslim groups have been held in camps in China’s Xinjiang region, according to human rights groups, which accuse the authorities of forcibly sterilizing women and imposing forced labor.
The EU, Britain, Canada and the United States have sanctioned several members of Xinjiang’s political and economic hierarchy in coordinated action on the charges, leading to Beijing’s retaliation in the form of sanctions against individuals in the EU and Britain.
“We are in solidarity with Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU and other partners and allies around the world in calling on the PRC to end human rights violations and abuses against predominantly Muslim Uighurs and members of other minority ethnic and religious groups. in Xinjiang and to release detainees arbitrarily, ”said Blinken.
Blinken’s statement came after Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced Beijing and promised to defend human rights.
Trudeau called Chinese sanctions “unacceptable actions”.
“We will continue to defend human rights worldwide with our international partners,” said Trudeau on Twitter.
China has sanctioned Canadian opposition parliamentarian Michael Chong, vice president of an international human rights parliamentary subcommittee, who presented this month a report concluding that the atrocities in Xinjiang constitute 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 conservative opposition party in Canada, said he would “use (the sanctions) as an emblem 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.