"In re-listening to this week's podcast, I recognize that I come across as lacking empathy. I acknowledge that entirely. As a refugee, my family fled a country with its own set of human rights issues so this is something that is very much a part of my lived experience.
"To be clear, my belief is that human rights matter, whether in China, the United States, or elsewhere. Full stop."
Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter Freedom was one of the prominent critics of Palihapitiya's comments on the Uyghurs. Freedom recently changed his name from Enes Kanter. He told CNN his new last name comes from what his teammates have been calling him.
In recent months, the 11-year NBA veteran has used social media and specially designed clothing during NBA games to bring awareness to and criticize China's treatment of the Uyghur community, a Muslim minority in the country's far west.
The US State Department estimates as many as two million Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities have been detained in internment camps in China's Xinjiang region since 2017.
Former detainees allege they were subjected to intense political indoctrination, forced labor, torture, and even sexual abuse. China has repeatedly denied accusations of human rights abuses in the country.
Freedom has also raised awareness of China's treatment of Tibet, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and has more recently called for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in protest.
'External interference'
Freedom's comments have prompted a backlash in China, with Celtics games being pulled by Chinese video streaming site Tencent and the government criticizing Kanter's comments.
With a clip of Palihapitiya's comments, Freedom said on Twitter: "When [the NBA] says we stand for justice, don't forget there are those who sell their soul for money & business-like (Palihapitiya) the owner of (the Warriors), who says 'Nobody cares about what's happening to the Uyghurs.'
"When genocides happen, it is people like this that let it happen. Shame!"
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When asked for their reaction to Palihapitiya's comments, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a briefing on Tuesday:
"I have not heard the relevant information you mentioned. However, what I can tell you is that Xinjiang affairs are purely China's internal affairs, and we will never tolerate any external interference."
In December, a London-based independent tribunal ruled that China committed genocide against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, accusing China's senior leadership including President Xi Jinping of "primary responsibility" for acts perpetrated against Muslim minority groups.