Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP has called on the Government to commit to a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics.
Moran, who spoke in Parliament on the debate about Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide in Xinjiang, called for a full diplomatic boycott of the event, which would prohibit Government ministers and dignitaries from attending the games.
Speaking after she took part in the debate, Layla Moran said: “A diplomatic boycott of next year’s Beijing Winter Olympics would send a clear message to the Chinese government. We’ve had enough hand-wringing and prevaricating. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past.
“In the debate I focused on Uyghur women and children, many of whom are being taken from their relatives, while their parents are detained. They are subjected to political indoctrination. Women are coerced to undergo procedures that they feel they have no choice in. It’s clear to me that the evidence meets the criteria for genocide as set out in the Genocide Convention.
“The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to send a message that the UK will stand up against such crimes against humanity. A UN-led investigation and determination is absolutely needed, but we can’t stand by in the meantime and ignore what is happening. The Government must act, and a diplomatic boycott is the very least we could do.”