China yanks BBC World News off air after investigative report alleges abuse of Muslim minority women

The news world is reeling after China has yanked BBC World News off air citing “serious” reporting guideline violations. China’s National Radio and Television Administration went on to say that the BBC reports on China did not follow the guidelines of the news being “truthful and fair” and of “not harming China’s national interests.”

The decision was spurred by a February 3 BBC report that focused on torture and sexual violence against Uighur women in Chinese camps- one that BBC representatives say they are disappointed with.

“The BBC is the world’s most trusted international news broadcaster and reports on stories from around the world fairly, impartially and without fear or favour.”

The report on the Muslim Uighur minority group came after the news company conducted detailed investigations based on witness testimonies which alleged police and guards took part in systematic rape, torture and sexual abuse of women detainees. Such torture as electric shock, sexual assault including anal rape by electrified sticks, gang rape and forced sterilisation according to witness accounts.

“The screams echoed throughout the building.”

China’s western region of Xinjiang is home to mainly these Muslim minorities, with rights groups estimating more than 1 million Uighurs and Turkish speaking Muslims incarcerated in the camps.

Both the British and US governments have committed to taking action towards the situation in Xinjiang with a US State Department spokesperson saying that China is taking part in a genocide against the minority groups. PM Boris Johnson of Britain, however, says only the courts in his country can make the legal definition of genocide applicable towards the Chinese government.

The investigative report also ignited outrage from Australian officials, with new calls being made for China to allow UN rights inspectors to enter the camps in Xinjiang.

China denied that the camps existed at first, but then acknowledged them by saying they were vocational training centres aimed at “reducing the appeal of Islamic extremism.” This, however, has been translated by many as a forceful renouncing of Islam by the minority groups as well as imposing forced labour.

Despite China’s foreign ministry acknowledging the “vocational training centres,” it has labelled the BBC World News report as “false.”

SOURCE: The Phuket News

Hot News
17 Comments

Leave a Reply

Ann Carter

Ann Carter is an award-winning journalist from the United States with over 12 years experience in print and broadcast news. Her work has been featured in America, China and Thailand as she has worked internationally at major news stations as a writer and producer. Carter graduated from the Walter Williams Missouri School of Journalism in the USA.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply