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Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Monday, 3 July 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 July 2023. It was answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe (Conservative) on Monday, 17 July 2023 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Uyghurs: China

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether Hikvision Cameras within the UK contain ‘ethnicity alerts’ algorithms that have been used to (1) target, and (2) detain, Uyghur Muslims in China.

Answer

The UK has serious concerns regarding the Chinese State’s use of technologies in ways that violate human rights and harm individuals and societies, including China’s use of high tech surveillance to disproportionately target Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. We are aware of a number of Chinese technology companies reportedly linked to violations taking place in Xinjiang, and are monitoring the situation closely. However, we are unable to comment on specific security arrangements or procedures.

We will always put national security first, and we have a range of measures in place to scrutinise the integrity of our arrangements. On 24 November 2022, the Government announced that Departments should cease deployment of visual surveillance systems produced by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law onto sensitive sites. In June 2023, we committed to publishing a timeline for the removal of this equipment.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL8964
Session
2022-23
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Detainees Software China Surveillance Uyghurs
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk