French lawmakers adopt resolution describing violence against Uyghurs ‘genocide’

By Yusuf Ozcan

PARIS (AA) - France’s parliament on Thursday passed a resolution describing “systematic violence” against Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang region a “genocide.”

The resolution, which asked the government to recognize the “genocide,” was adopted with 169 votes in favor and one against in France’s National Assembly.

President Emmanuel Macron's Republic on the Move party also supported the resolution.

In Xinjiang, ethnic Uyghur Muslims have been subjected to years of abuse of their identity and culture. According to UN data, at least 1 million Uyghurs are kept against their will in places Beijing calls "vocational training centers" but which critics call places for indoctrination, abuse, and torture.

Several countries have accused China of committing genocide against Uyghurs. Beijing has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as "lies and (a) political virus".