I was humbled to speak at the World Uyghur Congress London Launch, where I received an award for my commitment to highlighting the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, China. I first met Uyghur activist and Director of World Uyghur Congress, Rahima Mahmut, in Parliament 3 years ago and her powerful testimony made me work harder to highlight the plight of Uyghur Muslims and seek justice on their behalf.

My journey with the Uyghur cause goes back to my time in the European Parliament and I find it heart-breaking that we are currently witnessing a genocide on such a grand scale.

I believe the Chinese Government’s brutal campaign of oppression against the Uyghurs is a scar on the conscience of the world. The accounts that have emerged about draconian measures to suppress birth rates, forced labour and torture are utterly horrific. The Government must call for an impartial international investigation into what is happening in Xinjiang and sanction the perpetrators of human rights abuses.

I pledge to stand with Uyghurs and will continue to champion their rights in Parliament and beyond.

You can view pictures from the event here.