France’s Parliament passed an opposition-led motion that officially recognized China’s treatment Uyghur Muslims in genocide. It asked the government to denounce China for its ‘crimes against mankind’.

With 169 votes to support and one vote against the motion, the Socialist party led it.

Just weeks before Beijing’s Winter Olympics, the motion asked for France to provide protection to Uyghur residents living in France, in order that they are not harassed or intimidated by China.

Activists claim that at least one million Muslims are held in detention camps located in remote western Xinjiang. Some activists, as well as some Western politicians, accuse China of forced labor, torture and sterilisations.

It comes as Chinese authorities warned Olympic athletes heading to next month’s Winter Games that they will be ‘punished’ if they stage any form of anti-Beijing protest, while several nations announced a ‘diplomatic boycott’ of the event.

China claims that there were no human rights violations in Xinjiang, and its camps offer vocational training. This is necessary to combat extremism.

Deputy director general of Beijing 2022's International Relations Department Yang Shu said Wednesday 'any behaviour against Chinese law or regulations' will be punished (Pictured: An activist holds a placard during a No Beijing 2022 protest. Supporters of Tibet, Hongkong, Uyghurs and Anti-CCP activists gathered outside the BBC Broadcasting House in London to call for the BBC to boycott Beijing 2022 Olympic Games)

Deputy director general of Beijing 2022’s International Relations Department Yang Shu said Wednesday ‘any behaviour against Chinese law or regulations’ will be punished (Pictured: An activist holds a placard during a No Beijing 2022 protest. To demand that the BBC boycott Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, supporters of Tibet, Hongkong and Uyghurs gathered at the BBC Broadcasting House, London.

It comes as Chinese authorities warned Olympic athletes heading to next month's Winter Games that they will be 'punished' if they stage any form of anti-Beijing protest, while several nations announced a 'diplomatic boycott' of the event (Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics logo at the Shougang Park in Beijing on December 1, 2021)

The warning comes just as Chinese authorities have warned Olympic athletes that any anti-Beijing demonstrations will result in them being ‘punished’. Meanwhile, several countries announced a “diplomatic boycott” of the event.

Hongkongers, Tibetans, Uyghur Muslims, their Jewish allies and supporters hold placards as they demonstrate in Parliament Square against Beijing's hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, in London, United Kingdom on October 24, 2021

Hongkongers. Tibetans. Uyghur Muslims. Their Jewish allies. Supporters hold placards while they protest Beijing’s host of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. In London, United Kingdom, October 24, 2021.

After a similar vote by the Dutch Parliament in February 2021 the Chinese Embassy in The Hague stated that any hint of genocide or Xinjiang war was an ‘outright lying’ and that the Dutch parliament had deliberately smeared China, and grossly interfered with China’s internal affairs.

This Dutch motion, which was adopted almost one year ago, is the first in Europe. 

“A genocide is taking place in China on the Uighur minority,” it stated, without directly blaming the Chinese government.

Sjoerd Sjoerdsma (centre-left D-66 Party lawmaker) said the motion’s author: “Recognizing atrocities against Uyghurs and Chinese people for what they really are, namely genocide is a step towards preventing the world from looking away, and forcing us into action.

In December, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that he would not use the Beijing Winter Olympics next month as a venue for protesting Uyghurs’ treatment.

Macron stated that we must not politicise the Olympics. Macron said, “As with everything on the international scene, I prefer things that have an effective effect.”

However, several countries have begun a boycott diplomatically of the Games to protest.

Australia, Britain, and the United States have all stated that they won’t send anyone to China for the Winter Olympics because of China’s record on human rights.

In past Olympics, any breach of the Olympic charter by athletes was handled solely by the IOC - not by the country hosting the event (Pictured: A man uses his mobile phone at the spectator area of the Shougang Big Air venue)

In past Olympics, any breach of the Olympic charter by athletes was handled solely by the IOC – not by the country hosting the event (Pictured: A man uses his mobile phone at the spectator area of the Shougang Big Air venue)

China warned Olympic athletes who are heading to the Winter Games in February from China that any anti-Beijing demonstrations will result in them being ‘punished.

The warning shot was fired by Yang Shu, deputy director general of Beijing 2022’s International Relations Department, who was asked to comment on concerns for competitors who speak out about rights issues. 

This comes just after the International Olympic Committee, (IOC), was criticised for allowing China host the Games amid continuing reports of human rights violations against minorities, in particular Uyghur Muslims. 

China accused of imprisoning over a million Turkic Muslim Uyghurs living in the Xinjiang Region as part a campaign to eradicate their tradition, language, and beliefs.

At a briefing in Washington hosted by China’s Embassy, Shu stated: “Any expression that’s in accord with the Olympic spirit will be protected. Anything and all behaviours or speeches that are against the Olympic spirit and especially Chinese laws and regulations will be subject to certain penalties. 

In accordance with the Organisers’ Playbook guidelines, he said that cancelling accreditation can be considered a possible punishment.

However, it focuses primarily on Covid-19 prevention and doesn’t address speech or protest. 

While rule 50, which states that “no demonstration, political, religious, or racial hatred is permitted at Olympic sites,” was enshrined in the Olympic Charter, gestures allowed on the fields were granted last year, as long as there are no disruptions and respect for other participants.