MEPs deplore arbitrary arrests and detentions of ethnic minorities and human rights defenders in Xinjiang region, China.
Following recent systematic and arbitrary mass detentions of members of the Uyghur, Kazakh and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang region by Chinese authorities, MEPs demand the immediate end to such practices and that those detained under such circumstances must be released unconditionally.
They also urge the Chinese government to close all camps and detention centres in the area and express their deep concern at reports of state harassment and intimidation of Uyghurs abroad. Parliament calls on all EU countries to suspend the return of ethnic Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other Turkic Muslim minorities to China, considering the risk of arbitrary detention, torture or other ill-treatment they would face.
MEPs finally demand that journalists and international observers should have free, unhindered access to the Xinjiang province, located in the north-west of China.
The resolution was approved by a show of hands.
