Rahima Mahmut, a prominent Uyghur activist currently in exile in the UK, expressed disappointment over the Labour government’s failure to formally recognize China’s actions against Uyghurs as genocide. This statement comes after David Lammy’s inaugural visit to China as the UK Foreign Secretary, during which Mahmut had hoped for a significant shift in UK policy regarding human rights in Xinjiang.
Mahmut, who has resided in the UK since 2000 and serves as the UK director of the World Uyghur Congress, criticized the previous Conservative administrations for lofty rhetoric devoid of action. “The Conservative governments had big words but very little action,” she stated. “Unfortunately, after Labour took power, I didn’t even hear big words. I am very, very disappointed; the community is very disappointed.”
Since 2017, China has allegedly detained around 1 million Uyghurs and other minority groups in what the government refers to as “training centers.” Many families are still in the dark about the status of their detained loved ones, with some, like Mahmut’s brother, imprisoned for years.
During Lammy’s recent high-level meetings in Beijing and Shanghai, he faced pressure to address a range of human rights issues, including the treatment of Uyghurs. In opposition, the Labour Party had supported a Commons motion condemning China’s conduct as genocide and encouraged the government to seek formal recognition through the United Nations. However, a government source recently claimed that “genocide is a determination for competent international courts to decide.”
Mahmut urged the UK to follow the lead of the US in labeling China’s actions as genocide and to halt imports of goods produced through forced labor in Xinjiang. An independent tribunal led by Sir Geoffrey Nice KC concluded in 2021 that Uyghurs are victims of genocide, while the UN later indicated that China’s actions might constitute crimes against humanity. Last week, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning China’s treatment of Uyghurs and demanding the release of detainees.
“At the moment, the UK is falling behind,” Mahmut remarked.
Lammy’s trip coincided with developments surrounding a proposed new Chinese embassy in London, which had stalled after local opposition. The Royal Mint Court site was purchased by China for £255 million in 2018, yet permission has yet to be granted. In 2022, Tower Hamlets council unanimously rejected a proposal to relocate the existing Chinese embassy on security grounds.
The UK Ministry of Housing recently announced that Housing Secretary Angela Rayner would oversee the stalled planning decision, indicating her intention to conduct a local inquiry. Mahmut, who protests the embassy proposal alongside local residents and exiled Hongkongers due to concerns over surveillance, noted her uncertainty about the government’s next steps: “It’s very hard to predict, but we will fight until the end.”
Simon Cheng, founder of Hongkongers in Britain and a former Hong Kong consulate staff member who sought asylum in the UK, also expressed concerns regarding the government’s intervention, especially given the burgeoning economic relationship between the UK and China, which totals £110 billion annually. “It’s still a bit uncertain; it’s good to know the central government has stepped in,” Cheng said, adding that it remains unclear whether they plan to hold or approve the application.
Cheng, who fears that the new embassy could lead to increased surveillance, emphasized the significance of the government’s decision. “The exiled community members have legitimate concerns, and if the UK government approves this project, it would send a very wrong and damaging message to Beijing. We need to urge the new government to stand tough.”
The housing ministry stated that a decision on the embassy application would be made in due course, while the Foreign Office has been approached for further comment.
