The amendment to the government's post-Brexit trade bill, which already passed by a majority in Parliament's House of Lords, is largely designed to force international action in addressing China's alleged human rights abuses against the Uighur minority in the Xinjiang region.

Campaigners say that if the law passes, the UK would become the first country in the world to allow genocide cases to be considered in domestic courts.

The debate came as outgoing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared on Tuesday that China's policies on Muslims and ethnic minorities in Xinjiang constitute crimes against humanity and "genocide".

Under the UK proposal, minorities alleging they have been the subject of genocide can for the first time apply to the High Court of England and ask for judges to determine if a country trading with the UK has perpetrated genocide.

If the court makes a preliminary ruling against that country, the UK government would be forced to revoke bilateral trade agreements.

The proposal has the backing of all opposition parties and a significant number of rebel Conservatives.

Leaders from Britain's Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities have written a joint letter to the Times newspaper to back the amendment.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab last week called the trade bill amendment "well-meaning" but ineffective and counter-productive.

Australian Associated Press