EU Approves Chinese Sanctions for Abuse in Xinjiang; for the first time in three decades

FILE PHOTO: A perimeter fence has been built around what is officially known as a vocational training center in Dabancheng, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China, September 4, 2018. Photo taken September 4, 2018. REUTERS / Thomas Peter

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – European Union foreign ministers formally agreed on Monday to blacklist Chinese officials for human rights violations, an EU diplomat said, the first sanctions on Beijing since an EU arms embargo in 1989 after the crackdown on Tiananmen Square.

Ministers approved the travel ban and asset freeze on four Chinese individuals and one entity, whose names will be made public later on Monday, accusing them of violating rights against the Chinese Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang.

EU envoys had pre-approved the measures last week.

Report by Robin Emmott, published by Sabine Siebold

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