Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 20 April 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 April 2021. It was answered by Nigel Adams (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 April 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

China: Human Rights

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support students in China who demonstrated against sanctions imposed on a British academic who spoke out against human rights abuses in that country.

Answer: As the Foreign Secretary has made clear, China's attempt to silence those highlighting human rights violations in Xinjiang, including academics, is unwarranted and unacceptable. Academic freedom and freedom of speech are fundamental UK values and cornerstones of the UK's world class higher education system. The FCDO are offering support to all those impacted by these sanctions. We will continue to work with international partners to build the international caucus of those willing to speak out against China's human rights violations, and we will continue to call on China to respect freedom of expression.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 184446
Session: 2019-21
Subjects: Demonstrations China Human rights Higher education Students Sanctions
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk