[News] China vetoes BBC after Uighur probe

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The Chinese media regulator banned the BBC World Service on Thursday.

The Chinese media regulator on Thursday banned the BBC World Service, accusing it of violating official directives in an investigation into the Uighur minority, days after London withdrew the license to the Chinese network CGTN.

The Chinese National Radio and Television Administration "does not allow the BBC to continue broadcasting in China, and does not accept the renewal of its annual license," the communist regime regulator said in a statement.

The news service of the British station failed, in his opinion, "the requirement that journalism be truthful and fair" and "not harm the national interests of China," explained the media regulator.

This "serious violation" of official directives would have occurred during a report issued on February 3 with heartbreaking testimonies of torture and sexual violence against Uyghurs in Chinese detention camps.

The BBC expressed disappointment with the move in mainland China, where the channel is already censored and limited to international hotels.

"The BBC is the world's most reliable broadcaster and reports around the world fairly, impartially and without fear or favor," said a spokeswoman for the British corporation.

British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab called the ban "an unacceptable attack on press freedom" and assured that "it will only damage China's reputation in the eyes of the world."

The United States also denounced the measure.

"We absolutely condemn the decision," said State Department spokesman Ned Price, who called on China and "other nations with authoritarian control over the po[CENSORED]tion to allow full internet access and media freedom. ”.

The measure comes in full tension between the two countries since Beijing imposed a security law in Hong Kong, a former British colony, and London prohibited the Chinese Huawei from participating in its 5G network.

The latest pulse came after the decision days ago by the British regulator to revoke the license of the Chinese chain CGTN for violating British legislation on state property.

 

"The screams echoed"
The BBC, which also aired a harsh documentary accusing China of covering up the origins of COVID-19, released a report on the situation of Uighurs in Chinese detention camps on February 3.

Based on numerous testimonies, the BBC reported allegations of systematic rape, sexual abuse and torture of detained women by police and guards in the western region of Xinjiang in China.

The region is home to the Uighurs ethnic group, mostly of Muslim denomination, and in recent years it has seen strong repression by Chinese forces in response to separatist riots.

The report describes torture with electric shocks, including anal rape by guards using electric batons. The women were allegedly subjected to gang rapes and forced sterilization.

"The screams echoed throughout the building," according to one of the witnesses quoted in the information.

Human rights groups estimate that at least one million Uighurs and other Turkish-speaking Muslims are being held in camps in Xinjiang.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the BBC investigation "false", but for the British government it shows "clearly evil acts". US diplomacy also condemned the reported events.