Durham Uni Labour Club criticised for post calling CCP leader accused of genocide a ‘hero’

The new co-chair of Durham University Labour Club named his “political hero” as Xi Jinping, current secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of the People’s Republic of China

Jinping’s administration has been criticised for his treatment of ethnic minorities, such as Uighurs in Xinjiang and Tibetans, as well as the suppression of free speech.

As well as endorsing Jinping, Jack Theaker also shared details of his favourite book and favourite Durham pub in a post shared on the Durham University Labour Club Instagram page yesterday.

Durham University Labour Club has since received criticism online and from university Labour Clubs across the country for the “unacceptable” and “disgraceful remark”.

via Instagram @durhamunilabour

A user on X was quick to pick up on the comment, writing that it is “shocking” for any Labour co-chair to view Jinping as a hero.

They wrote: “Xi Jinping is a tyrannical dictator, who has engaged in ethnic cleansing against China’s Muslim population. It is shocking that any Labour Club Co – Chair would view him as their political hero.”

Xi Jinping is a tyrannical dictator, who has engaged in ethnic cleansing against China’s Muslim population.

It is shocking that any Labour Club Co – Chair would view him as their political hero. https://t.co/TgBWf59WCo

— Ralph Ali (@ralphaali) September 16, 2024

In the same post, other members of the executive committee instead named figures such as Labour MP Zarah Sultana as their ‘hero’.

The post was eventually deleted from the Durham University Labour Club Instagram, over three hours after it was originally uploaded.

via Instagram @durhamunilabour

In response to the comment, various Labour Club’s at universities across the country issued statements.

Lancaster University Labour Club told The Tab: “We are glad that Durham University Labour has retracted last night’s post.

“Whilst the Labour Party is a broad church, the line should be drawn at support for autocratic dictators with little regard for democracy or human rights, even if these remarks were made in jest.”

Loughborough University Labour Students told The Tab that this comment was “unacceptable”, saying: “Durham University Labour Club and its values are not representative of our society, the vast majority of other Labour societies and the Labour Party as a whole.

“This disgraceful remark is completely unacceptable and just the latest of a number of problematic statements by the society. We hope appropriate action is taken.”

York University Labour Club told The Tab: “As the University of York Labour Club, we were appalled by the comments made and are glad to see them taken down.

“We must always support Uyghur Muslims, Hong Kongers, Tibetans, Chinese dissidents and everyone else who has been harmed by the evils of the Chinese Communist Party lead by Xi Jinping.

“The Labour Party and movement should and is committed to human rights and democracy.”

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Featured image via Instagram @durhamunilabour