China committed genocide against Uyghurs: UK tribunal

An independent UK tribunal has ruled that China is guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang.

The Uyghur Tribunal, chaired by British Barrister Sir Geoffrey Nice, found China guilty of forced sterilisation, sexual violence, enslavement, torture, and forcible transfer, all beyond reasonable doubt, they revealed on Thursday.

The tribunal - which does not have legal force - considered allegations of "the gravest human rights violations and international crimes" against China, where experts estimate over one million Muslims have been incarcerated in a crackdown against those practicing Islam in Xinjiang.

"On the basis of evidence heard in public, the Tribunal is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that [China], by the imposition of measures to prevent births intended to destroy a significant part of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang... has committed genocide," the judgement reads. 

The Uyghur Tribunal heard from over 70 witnesses - including experts and former detainees - over two sets of hearings in London in June and September 2021.

They said it would be "more appropriate" for the case to be dealt with by governments or international organisations, such as the UN, but they "have no courage to do such things... where a powerful state is involved".

"The evidence that was put forward... shows there is enough proof beyond reasonable doubt that there was an intent to commit genocide," Conservative MP Nus Ghani told the BBC following the "groundbreaking" tribunal's report.

The Chinese Embassy in London said last October that the tribunal used "a handful of anti-China forces to deceive and mislead the public".

In October, 43 countries called on China to "ensure full respect for the rule of law" for the Uyghur community, in a statement read at the United Nations.

The statement sparked outrage from Beijing, who have long denied the accusations of human rights abuses.

This comes after Canada, the UK, and Australia joined the US in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics in February prompted by the accusations.