An exiled activist for the Chinese Muslim minority is urging the Australian Government to make human rights a priority in its foreign policy with China.

Rebiya Kadeer has told a parliamentary meeting in the Australian capital, Canberra, of the ongoing “heinous persecution” of the Uyghur people.

Ms Kadeer says she requested a meeting with Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, but was refused.

Ms Kadeer was a political prisoner for five years, and says she continues to be the target of death threats and pervasive surveillance.

Speaking through a translator Ms Kadeer says Uyghur people are becoming extinct in their homeland.

“I’d like to ask the Australian Parliament to enact necessary legislation in defence of the human rights, democratic rights, language culture of Uyghur people,” she said.

“I also hope during the bilateral human rights dialogue the Uyghur issue, Tibetan issue and the human rights issue take precedence.”

Ms Kadeer also says the recent Middle East uprising has given hope to oppressed ethic groups around the world.