A move to ban travel to China for organ transplants is gaining support in the UK because of allegations China forcibly harvests organs from prisoners of conscience and others.

About 40 MPs from all parties are backing the proposal.  This comes as the independent China Tribunal investigates claims that Beijing is targeting certain detainees, including religious minorities such as Falun Gong, Tibetans, Uighur Muslims, and some Christian sects.  China's government is dismissing this as a malicious rumor while insisting that it adheres to international medical standards that require organ donations to be made by consent and without any financial charges.

But last December, the China Tribunal issued a report stating:  "In China forced-organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience has been practiced for a substantial period of time involving a very substantial number of victims," adding, "It is beyond doubt on the evidence presently received that forced harvesting of organs has happened on a substantial scale by state-supported or approved organisations and individuals."

Northern Ireland MP Jim Shannon urged the UK government to follow in the footsteps of Italy, Spain, Israel, and Taiwan, which have already enacted organ tourism bans.

"It is wrong that people should travel from here to China for what is almost a live organ on demand to suit themselves," said Shannon, "We need to control that structurally, as other countries have, not simply because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is necessary to protect UK citizens from unwittingly playing a role in the horrifying suffering of religious or belief groups in China."