Recommendations & Conclusions
13 items
1
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
The Government should accept Parliament’s view that Uyghurs and other ethnic minority groups in Xinjiang are suffering genocide and crimes against humanity, and take action to bring these crimes to an end.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to accept Parliament's view on genocide, reiterating its long-standing policy not to make such determinations, which it believes should be decided by a credible judicial process. However, it agrees there is compelling evidence of widespread human rights violations and commits …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
5
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination provides a viable avenue through which the UK Government, with others, may hold the Chinese government accountable, and another forum through which likeminded countries can draw attention to and pursue accountability for human rights abuses in Xinjiang We recommend …
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The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination provides a viable avenue through which the UK Government, with others, may hold the Chinese government accountable, and another forum through which likeminded countries can draw attention to and pursue accountability for human rights abuses in Xinjiang We recommend that the Government urgently raise a complaint against China to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects raising a bilateral complaint against China to CERD, arguing it would not increase scrutiny and would risk turning a global issue into a bilateral dispute, contrary to their strategy of concerted international pressure.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
6
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
We recommend that the UK moves for special sessions of the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council to find solutions to the crisis in Xinjiang.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that it does not currently believe there is sufficient support to successfully move for special sessions at the UN.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
7
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
We recommend that the Government engages in dialogue with the International Criminal Court about the feasibility of a proprio motu investigation into crimes committed against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang and beyond.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that decisions on proprio motu investigations lie with the independent ICC Prosecutor, and that the ICC's jurisdiction is limited as the alleged crimes are occurring in a non-State Party territory.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
15
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
We recommend that the Government implement an asylum fast track for Uyghurs and members of other minority ethnic groups who are fleeing persecution in China.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating it does not plan to implement a specific asylum fast track for Uyghurs, but ensures all asylum claims are considered on individual merits and in accordance with international obligations.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
16
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
The UK should form a coalition of ‘sanctuary states’ that will publicly recommit to the principles of non-refoulement. Doing so will signal to members of persecuted minority groups such as the Uyghurs that they will be safe in these countries, and it will apply further diplomatic and reputational pressure on …
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The UK should form a coalition of ‘sanctuary states’ that will publicly recommit to the principles of non-refoulement. Doing so will signal to members of persecuted minority groups such as the Uyghurs that they will be safe in these countries, and it will apply further diplomatic and reputational pressure on those states guilty of deporting Uyghurs to China. (Paragraph 36) 28 Never Again: The UK’s Responsibility to Act on Atrocities in Xinjiang and Beyond
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects forming a 'coalition of sanctuary states', stating they will continue to intervene through diplomatic channels and other tools with international partners to prevent deportations, believing this action is most effective.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
17
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
We recommend that, where there is credible evidence of a state party to the United Nations Convention against Torture deporting Uyghurs and members of other persecuted minority groups to China, the UK should raise a complaint against that state to the Committee against Torture.
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We recommend that, where there is credible evidence of a state party to the United Nations Convention against Torture deporting Uyghurs and members of other persecuted minority groups to China, the UK should raise a complaint against that state to the Committee against Torture.
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to raise a bilateral complaint against states deporting Uyghurs to China under the UN Convention against Torture, stating that such action is more effective when conducted in concert with international partners.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
18
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
The British Council should prioritise cultural protection funding for the preservation and promotion of Uyghur tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The BBC World Service should broadcast in Uyghur in areas where substantial Uyghur communities live. (Paragraph 38) Forced labour and the private sector
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The British Council should prioritise cultural protection funding for the preservation and promotion of Uyghur tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The BBC World Service should broadcast in Uyghur in areas where substantial Uyghur communities live. (Paragraph 38) Forced labour and the private sector
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation. It states that extending the British Council's Cultural Protection Fund to Xinjiang is not currently feasible due to scope restrictions, funding requirements, and logistical challenges. It also states that the provision of an additional Uyghur broadcast service is for the …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
21
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
We recommend that the Government review the £36m threshold for businesses to be required to produce Modern Slavery Statements, with a view to reducing it.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects reducing the Modern Slavery Statement threshold, citing a September 2020 review that determined the current £36m threshold remained appropriate and stating they have no plans to change it.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
23
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
The Government should explore the possibility of banning the import of all cotton products known to be produced in whole or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, in line with WTO rules. While we primarily heard evidence on the cotton industry, we believe this ban should …
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The Government should explore the possibility of banning the import of all cotton products known to be produced in whole or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, in line with WTO rules. While we primarily heard evidence on the cotton industry, we believe this ban should be extended to other industries.
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Government response AI summary
The government explicitly states it does not have plans to place import controls on goods from China, thus rejecting the recommendation for a ban, though it highlights other measures taken to tackle forced labour.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
24
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
The Government should issue guidance to business to implement modern means of traceability and product origin verification as part of their due diligence measures.
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the role of technology and is engaging with businesses and has existing guidance, but explicitly states it does not currently plan to issue further specific guidance on modern means of traceability and product origin verification.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
31
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
We recommend that the Government introduce a national, cross-departmental strategy for atrocity prevention.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation for a national, cross-departmental strategy for atrocity prevention, stating that individual FCDO departments are best placed to tackle risks regionally.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
35
Recommendation
Second Report - Never Again: The UK’s R…
Rejected
We recommend that the Government appoint a Special Envoy on Atrocity Prevention to ensure that the prevention of mass atrocities is consistently championed in Parliament and Government.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to appoint a Special Envoy on Atrocity Prevention, stating that Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon already oversees relevant government policy and is well-placed for this work.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office