Parliament is being told it can take a stand on the Uighurs without upsetting the apple cart too much.

MPs will be debating China's treatment of the Muslim minority today, but the term genocide's been dropped from the motion, at the insistence of Labour.

Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor says it's not rocket science, that trade would have been impacted if the word genocide had been used.

Former intelligence analyst, Paul Buchanan, told Kate Hawkesby Parliament should follow the lead of the United Nations and Human Rights Watch in how they label the treatment of the Uighurs.

“This is the best way to straddle the facts. The reason being; is that a parliamentary resolution, if non-binding, it forces the government to do nothing, is a statement of principle.”

LISTEN ABOVE