Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 18
18
The British Council should prioritise cultural protection funding for the preservation and promotion of Uyghur...
Conclusion
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
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government recognises the importance of supporting efforts to protect cultural heritage at risk. However the scope of the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) is currently restricted to the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Extending the fund to China would require a significant uplift in funding, and pose logistical challenges. Furthermore, future funding for the British Council will only be confirmed at the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review. We therefore do not judge it would be either appropriate or feasible currently to commit to extending the scope of the CPF programme to Xinjiang. However the FCDO will continue to welcome bids through its International Programme from organisations that work to strengthen and protect human rights, including cultural, linguistic, and religious rights. The FCDO is also supportive of the rights of Uyghur communities to have access to trusted, impartial media. While Uyghur audiences currently have access to trusted information primarily through BBC News Chinese, the provision of any additional service is for the BBC World Service to decide. The Government is therefore unable to accept this recommendation on their behalf. Forced labour and the private sector