Golden State Warriors distance themselves from team investor who said: 'Nobody cares about what's happening to the Uyghurs'

"But if you're asking me: 'Do I attraction astir a conception of a people of radical successful different country?' Not until we tin instrumentality attraction of ourselves, volition I prioritize them implicit us."

The 45-year-old billionaire capitalist besides said that the conception of sustaining quality rights globally is simply a "luxury belief."

"We don't bash capable domestically to really explicit that presumption successful real, tangible ways," helium said. "So until we really cleanable up our ain house, the thought that we measurement extracurricular of our borders ... astir idiosyncratic else's quality rights way record, is deplorable."

In a connection to CNN connected Monday, the Warriors distanced themselves from Palihapitiya's comments: "As a constricted capitalist who has nary day-to-day operating functions with the Warriors, Mr. Palihapitiya does not talk connected behalf of our franchise, and his views surely don't bespeak those of our organization."

The NBA did not respond to CNN petition for comment.

'I travel crossed arsenic lacking empathy'

Palihapitiya is listed arsenic an enforcement committee subordinate connected the Warriors' website. According to CNBC, helium owns 10% of the Warriors.

Following an outpouring of disapproval connected societal media, Palihapitiya addressed his comments connected Twitter, posting a connection with the caption speechmaking successful part: "Important issues merit nuanced discussions."

"In re-listening to this week's podcast, I admit that I travel crossed arsenic lacking empathy. I admit that entirely. As a refugee, my household fled a state with its ain acceptable of quality rights issues truthful this is thing that is precise overmuch a portion of my lived experience.

"To beryllium clear, my content is that quality rights matter, whether successful China, the United States, oregon elsewhere. Full stop."

Boston Celtics halfway Enes Kanter Freedom was 1 of the salient critics of Palihapitiya's comments connected the Uyghurs. Freedom precocious changed his sanction from Enes Kanter. He told CNN his caller past sanction comes from what his teammates person been calling him.

In caller months, the 11-year NBA seasoned has utilized societal media and specially designed covering during NBA games to bring consciousness to and knock China's attraction of the Uyghur community, a Muslim number successful the country's acold west.

The US State Department estimates arsenic galore arsenic 2 cardinal Uyghurs and different taste and spiritual minorities person been detained successful internment camps successful China's Xinjiang portion since 2017.

Former detainees allege they were subjected to aggravated governmental indoctrination, forced labor, torture, and adjacent intersexual abuse. China has repeatedly denied accusations of quality rights abuses successful the country.

Freedom has besides raised consciousness to China's attraction of Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and has much precocious called for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games successful protest.

'External interference'

Freedom's comments person prompted a backlash successful China, with Celtics games being pulled by Chinese video streaming tract Tencent and the authorities criticizing Kanter's comments.

With a clip of Palihapitiya's comments, Freedom said connected Twitter: "When [the NBA] says we basal for justice, don't hide determination are those who merchantability their psyche for wealth & concern similar (Palihapitiya) the proprietor of (the Warriors), who says 'Nobody cares astir what's happening to the Uyghurs.'

"When genocides happen, it is radical similar this that fto it happen. Shame!"

When asked for their absorption to Palihapitiya's comments, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said astatine a briefing connected Tuesday: "I person not heard the applicable accusation you mentioned. However, what I tin archer you is that Xinjiang affairs are purely China's interior affairs, and we volition ne'er tolerate immoderate outer interference."

In December, a London-based autarkic tribunal ruled that China committed genocide against Uyghurs and different taste minorities successful Xinjiang, accusing China's elder enactment including President Xi Jinping of "primary responsibility" for acts perpetrated against Muslim number groups.