US warns Beijing of ‘unsubstantiated sanctions’ against Americans

Blingen said in a statement that Beijing ‘s efforts to intimidate and silence those who speak out for human rights and fundamental freedoms would increase international criticism of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.

China this week announced sanctions against Canada and two Americans, a human rights organization, in response to sanctions imposed by North American countries on China’s treatment of Uyghur minorities. Blinken called sanctions against two members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom “unfounded.”

Human rights groups say the camps in China’s Xinjiang region are home to at least one million Uyghurs and other, mostly Muslim. They accuse the authorities of forcibly sterilizing women and using forced labor.

The European Union, Britain, Canada and the United States have imposed sanctions on top political and economic officials in Xinjiang. China later imposed sanctions on individuals from the European Union and Great Britain.

“We stand in solidarity with our partners and allies in Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union and around the world, and call on China to end the human and human rights abuses of members of Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang. And release those who have been arbitrarily detained, “said Blingen.