U.K. 'people's tribunal' hears claims China abused Uighurs

Despite not having official powers, organisers hope the process of publicly laying out evidence will compel international action against authorities.

A “people's tribunal” set up to assess whether China's alleged rights abuses against the Uighur people constitute genocide opened in London on Friday, with witness alleging that inmates at detention camps for Uighurs were routinely humiliated, tortured and abused. Chairperson Geoffrey Nice said more than three dozen witnesses would make “grave” allegations against Chinese authorities during four days of hearings. The tribunal does not have U.K. government backing and has no powers to sanction or punish China. But organisers hope the process of publicly laying out evidence will compel international action to tackle alleged abuses against the Uyghurs, a largely Muslim ethnic group.