U.S., U.K. join Europe in issuing sanctions over Uighur abuse

BRUSSELS — Britain and the United States say they have taken joint action with the European Union and Canada to impose sanctions on senior Chinese officials over human rights abuses in China’s far western Xinjiang region.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the measures were part of “intensive diplomacy” by the U.K, the United States, Canada and the 27-nation EU to force action amid mounting evidence about serious rights abuses against the Uighur people.

The sanctions will be imposed immediately and include travel bans and asset freezes against four officials, Raab told the House of Commons on Monday.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that “a united transatlantic response sends a strong signal to those who violate or abuse international human rights, and we will take further actions in coordination with likeminded partners,.

“We will continue to stand with our allies around the world in calling for an immediate end to the PRC’s crimes and for justice for the many victims,” Blinken said.

The European Union’s action earlier in the day provoked swift retaliation from Beijing. China’s Foreign Ministry announced sanctions against 10 European individuals and four institutions that it said had damaged China’s interests and “maliciously spread lies and disinformation.”