With the start of Ramzan, United States (US) President Joe Biden has expressed solidarity with the Uighur minority in China, which his country says is being subjected to genocide by the Chinese communist authorities.

“Together with our partners, the United States stands in solidarity with Muslims who continue to face oppression, including Uighurs in the People’s Republic of China, Rohingya in Burma, and other Muslim communities facing persecution around the world,” Biden said in a statement on Thursday. He did not mention the Muslim community in India.

“During this sacred time of reflection, the United States also reaffirms our support to Muslim communities suffering hardships and devastation,” Biden said, referring to earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, and flood victims in Pakistan.

According to rights groups, Uighurs are subjected to mass imprisonment in forced labour camps and banned from expressing their cultural norms. Beijing has denied all allegations, stating the ethnic minority is not being repressed and that any security measures in the region are a response to terrorism threats.