Liz Truss and Foreign Office split over policy on China and Uighurs

- THE GUARDIAN - Dec 23, 2020 -

Patrick Wintour -

Liz Truss is said to be content to back the measure in a Lords amendment. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters

Trade secretary supports role for UK courts in determining whether genocide is happening

A behind-the-scenes struggle over UK policy towards China has begun, with Liz Truss, the trade secretary, backing plans, opposed by the Foreign Office, to give the British courts a role in determining whether genocide is happening in Xinjiang province.

MPs are due to vote in the new year on the Lords’ all-party amendment to the trade bill, which would give the courts a preliminary role in determining whether a genocide is being committed by a country with whom the UK might sign a trade deal.

The Foreign Office (FCDO) is opposed to giving UK courts preliminary power to determine whether genocide is occurring in Xinjiang, or elsewhere, saying this decision rests with competent international courts rather than national governments.

LEIA MAIS:

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/23/liz-truss-and-foreign-office-split-over-policy-on-china-and-uighurs