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French National Assembly in Paris (archive image)
Photo: Aurelien Morissard / imago images/PanoramiC
Shortly before the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, the French National Assembly issued a resolution denouncing a "genocide" against the Uyghurs in China.
The proposal was passed almost unanimously in Paris on Thursday, with only one dissenting vote and five abstentions.
Head of State Emmanuel Macron's party was also among the supporters.
The resolution condemns the Chinese authorities' acts of violence against the Uyghurs as "crimes against humanity and genocide".
She appealed to the French government to also condemn China's treatment of the Muslim minority and to take the necessary measures.
The resolution of the National Assembly has no legal consequences.
Question of the Uyghurs already addressed at the »highest level«
Foreign Trade Minister Franck Riester mentioned the "systematic acts of violence", but emphasized that classification as genocide could only be made by international authorities.
However, the question was raised "at the highest level" with the Chinese interlocutors, he said.
French President Macron also mentioned dealing with the Uyghurs in his speech to the EU Parliament.
According to human rights organizations, Uyghurs and other Muslims in the Chinese province of Xinjiang are being monitored using draconian means, including DNA samples and facial recognition software.
More than a million members of the minorities are being forced to give up their religion, culture and language in detention camps and some are also being physically abused.
The Chinese government speaks of "education centers" that serve to fight Islamist radicalization.
The European Union (EU) has already imposed sanctions on the People's Republic of China for the suppression of the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region.
In December they were extended by one year.
muk/dpa