Berlin (Reuters) - Germany is pushing for the imposition of sanctions against China over its treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority.
The EU has the ability to punish human rights violations, "and of course we want to use this instrument," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said ahead of a meeting of EU department heads and interior ministers in Berlin on Monday. According to diplomats, the planned sanctions will hit four Chinese government officials and one institution. Entry bans and the freezing of assets are planned. The sanctions are to be decided at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday next week. "I assume that there will be an understanding," Maas said. Human rights groups blame Beijing for oppressing Uighurs in the Xinjiang region. The government in Beijing rejects the accusations. read more