British public for strong Government action to support the Uyghur people

Over the past 18 months, HOPE not hate have been committed to bring the Uyghur people’s suffering to light, raising awareness and campaigning for action. To this end we have been regularly polling the British public to determine their understanding and attitudes to the genocide.

Multiple polls by HOPE not hate on the genocide of the Uyghur people in recent months has repeatedly shown the public’s strong support for the Uyghur people, their belief that the Government must act far stronger and collective actions such as boycotts of genocide-complicit companies should be considered.

In March 2021, HOPE not hate polled the public ahead of the Genocide Amendment in Parliament. An overwhelming majority of the public, especially Conservative voters, opposed the UK signing trade deals with countries that are committing genocide. This was not just about the UK Government. Multiple polls have shown that around three-quarters of the public also back coordinated international action to force China to improve on its human rights record.

With the Winter Olympics coming up in Beijing, the British public wants our athletes to be supported by the British Olympic Association to campaign against and raise awareness about the plight of the Uyghur people. These Games will be China’s opportunity to showcase their nation to a global audience. This cannot be allowed to happen and the Games should be called out for what they are: the Genocide Games.

Finally, as the scale of the Genocide and the gut-wrenching testimonies have become clearer, and the issue being given greater prominence in the media and in Parliament, so too has the recognition and understanding of it by the public. Our polling suggests that there has been a significant upsurge in the public’s consciousness of the grave situation of the Uyghurs.

When HOPE not hate began raising awareness of the genocide, we said it was key to create ‘awareness then action’. The Uyghur people can’t wait any longer for action. The Government and the international community must act now.