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China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show

Guardian

UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China

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House of Commons

Written evidence submitted by Professor Laura T. Murphy, Sheffield Hallam University Helena Kennedy Centre & Dr. Shawn Bhimani, Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business (FL0011)

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Laura T. Murphy

People's Daily

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XINHUA

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Metaculus

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Baltic News Network

China has launched a campaign of intimidation against British academics

Sheffield Hallam University staff in China were allegedly threatened by individuals described as being from China's National Security Service who demanded research into alleged human rights abuses be halted, according to documents obtained by the BBC.

Sheffield Hallam University staff in China were allegedly threatened by individuals described as being from China's National Security Service who demanded research into alleged human rights abuses be halted, according to documents obtained by the BBC.

Professor Laura Murphy's research has focused on allegations that Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang are subject to forced labor, an allegation that China has consistently denied.

Professor Laura Murphy's research has focused on allegations that Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang are subject to forced labor, an allegation that China has consistently denied.

The university's websites were reportedly blocked in China starting in August 2022, preventing Chinese students from accessing enrollment information and impacting recruitment, while China's foreign ministry criticized the Helena Kennedy Centre.

The university's websites were reportedly blocked in China starting in August 2022, preventing Chinese students from accessing enrollment information and impacting recruitment, while China's foreign ministry criticized the Helena Kennedy Centre.

Sheffield Hallam decided not to publish Murphy's final research in late 2024 and told her she could not continue China-related work, citing insurance issues and staff safety concerns after alleged pressure from Chinese authorities.

Sheffield Hallam decided not to publish Murphy's final research in late 2024 and told her she could not continue China-related work, citing insurance issues and staff safety concerns after alleged pressure from Chinese authorities.

The university earned £3.8 million ($5.0 million) from China and Hong Kong in 2021/22 but enrolled only 73 Chinese students in 2024/25, representing 1.7% of its international student population according to internal documents.

The university earned £3.8 million ($5.0 million) from China and Hong Kong in 2021/22 but enrolled only 73 Chinese students in 2024/25, representing 1.7% of its international student population according to internal documents.

Sheffield Hallam apologized to Murphy in October and said she could resume her work after she initiated legal action.

Sheffield Hallam apologized to Murphy in October and said she could resume her work after she initiated legal action.

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Sheffield Hallam University staff in China were threatened by individuals described as being from China's National Security Service who demanded research into alleged human rights abuses be halted, according to documents obtained by the BBC.</span

Sheffield Hallam University staff in China were threatened by individuals described as being from China's National Security Service who demanded research into alleged human rights abuses be halted, according to documents obtained by the BBC.

The university's websites were blocked in China starting in August 2022, preventing Chinese students from accessing enrollment information and impacting recruitment, while China's foreign ministry criticized the Helena Kennedy Centre.</span

The university's websites were blocked in China starting in August 2022, preventing Chinese students from accessing enrollment information and impacting recruitment, while China's foreign ministry criticized the Helena Kennedy Centre.

Professor Laura Murphy's research focused on allegations that Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang were subject to forced labor, while China's embassy stated the reports were flawed and accused the center of spreading disinformation.</span

Professor Laura Murphy's research focused on allegations that Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang were subject to forced labor, while China's embassy stated the reports were flawed and accused the center of spreading disinformation.

Sheffield Hallam decided not to publish Murphy's final research in late 2024 and told her she could not continue China-related work, citing insurance issues and staff safety concerns after pressure from Chinese authorities.</span

Sheffield Hallam decided not to publish Murphy's final research in late 2024 and told her she could not continue China-related work, citing insurance issues and staff safety concerns after pressure from Chinese authorities.

The university earned £3.8 million from China and Hong Kong in 2021/22 but enrolled only 73 Chinese students in 2024/25, representing 1.7% of its international student population according to internal documents.</span

The university earned £3.8 million from China and Hong Kong in 2021/22 but enrolled only 73 Chinese students in 2024/25, representing 1.7% of its international student population according to internal documents.

Sheffield Hallam apologized to Murphy in October and said she could resume her work after she initiated legal action, while the UK government warned China it would not tolerate attempts to suppress academic freedoms.</span

Sheffield Hallam apologized to Murphy in October and said she could resume her work after she initiated legal action, while the UK government warned China it would not tolerate attempts to suppress academic freedoms.

China Threatens UK University Over Uyghur Research

China Threatens UK University Over Uyghur Research

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China Threatens UK University Over Uyghur Research

China Threatens UK University Over Uyghur Research

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