BEIJING (Reuters). -China banned four U.S. citizens from entering a commission on religious freedom. The statement was made by the foreign ministry on Tuesday. It follows U.S. sanctioned Chinese individuals and entities for alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

Zhao Lijian, a ministry spokesperson, stated that the four individuals from U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom would be expelled from Macau, Hong Kong, and mainland China.

Zhao stated that their assets would be frozen in China and Chinese citizens and institutions would not be allowed to deal with them.

According to an internet statement, “We don’t surprise that the Chinese government has imposed additional basesless sanctions to address growing concerns over its egregious violations of human rights” said Nadine Maenza (chair USCIRF), one of those China banned from entering.

United States claimed that the Dec. 10 sanctions had been imposed to stop human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang, China. Uyghurs as well as other Muslim minorities were allegedly unlawfully imprisoned, treated badly, and forced to work. China claims that there were no abuses in Xinjiang. It also says it has policies to counter extremism.

The USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom) is an entity of the federal government that assesses and proposes policies to countries in which religious freedom might be at risk.

Zhao explained that in addition to the chair at USCIRF the sanctions will also impact the vice chair as well two USCIRF commissioners.