Saudi Arabia / China - Q&A from the press briefing (15 Apr. 2022)

Q: Saudi Arabia is preparing to extradite four Uyghurs to China: a mother and her 13-year-old daughter, and two men (including the father). They had come to make a pilgrimage to Mecca in February 2020. They risk death or internment camps. Given that the Uyghurs are subjected to brutal repression and a million Uyghurs are interned in concentration camps, what is France’s reaction?

A: We are closely monitoring the situation of these people and, together with our European partners, are mobilizing our efforts in this regard.

France reiterates its commitment to seeing human rights and fundamental liberties respected worldwide. We are approaching these issues at every level, as part of our candid, rigorous dialogue with the Saudi authorities.

As you know, France also maintains a candid, direct dialogue with China at every level on the issue of human rights. We therefore express our deep concern with regard to the Uygur community in Xinjiang.