Summary of the Letter to Prime Minister Starmer Regarding a Potential Visit to China
this letter, signed by numerous human rights groups, urges UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to prioritize human rights concerns during any potential visit to China. It details a thorough list of individuals imprisoned or facing persecution in China, and requests Starmer to advocate for their release and address systemic human rights abuses.
Key Demands & Concerns:
* individual Cases: the letter specifically calls for the release of dozens of political prisoners, including:
* Jimmy Lai: Media mogul in Hong kong.
* Hong Kong Activists: Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan (Tiananmen commemoration).
* Chinese Human Rights Defenders: Xu Zhiyong, Ding Jiaxi.
* Swedish National/Publisher: Gui Minhai.
* Journalists & Activists: Zhang Zhang, Wang Bingzhang.
* Uyghur Scholars & Authors: Ilham Tohti, Rahile Dawut, Yalqun Rozi.
* Tibetan Individuals: lhundrub drakpa, Dorje Tashi.
* Zhang Yadi: Chinese student arrested while visiting family.
* Zion, yayang & Early Rain Covenant Church Members: Including Pastors Ezri Jin Mingri and Wang Yi.
* Systemic Abuses: The letter highlights concerns regarding:
* Uyghur Genocide: Acknowledging findings from the Uyghur Tribunal.
* Forced Organ Harvesting: Referring to the China Tribunal’s findings.
* Repression of religion: intensified repression of Christian churches and other religious groups.
* Violations in the Uyghur Region & Across China: General concerns about freedom of religion and belief.
* International Influence: The letter urges Starmer to address China’s role in:
* Myanmar: Pressing China to enforce a global arms embargo and cease providing aviation fuel to the junta.
* North korea: Calling for an end to the forced repatriation of North Korean refugees (violating non-refoulement).
* Ukraine: Addressing China’s influence regarding Putin’s war.
* Concerns about UK-China Relations: The letter expresses concern over the approval of a new Chinese mega-embassy in London, citing espionage and transnational repression risks.
Overall Message:
The signatories emphasize that any visit by Prime Minister Starmer should not be a normalization of relations with China,but rather a firm stand for human rights,demanding the release of prisoners and an end to mass atrocity crimes. They beleive the UK must demonstrate its commitment to security and values by robustly addressing these issues.
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