More than 20 countries at the UN Human Rights Council have signed a joint letter criticising China’s treatment of ethnic Uighurs in the Xinjiang region.

UN experts and rights groups say China is holding about one million Uighurs and other Muslims in detention camps.

China claims that Uighurs are being educated in “vocational training centres” designed to combat extremism.

The unprecedented statement was signed by the ambassadors of 22 countries including Britain, Canada and Japan.