In response to reports of China imposing sanctions on nine UK citizens - including five MPs – Kate Allen, Director of Amnesty International UK, says:

“We should not turn a blind eye to the horrendous abuses in Xinjiang – the Chinese government must be held accountable, and we welcome public figures in the UK, including MPs, speaking up against the chilling human rights abuses inflicted in Hong Kong and on Uyghur people in China.

“It is disgraceful that China continues to detain and inflict such grim conditions on Uyghurs. Their attempt to silence critics and issue reprisals against those who call the government out speaks volumes on how far they will go to intimidate people. But this will not stop us, and we will continue to speak up.

“China must end the measures that restrict the rights of all Muslim minorities to freely leave and return to the country. It must close all political ‘re-education camps’ and release detainees immediately, unconditionally and without prejudice.”