A series of hearings begins in London today aiming to gather evidence on whether the Chinese governments alleged human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region constitute a genocide.<br />'' <br />''An eight-member panel, chaired by the prominent British barrister Sir Geoffrey Nice, will hear from about 30 witnesses over four days of testimony.   The hearings have no government backing and the panel's conclusions are not binding on ministers.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The Chinese state has been accused of crimes against humanity and genocide in Xinjiang, a large region in the country's northwest which is home to the Uyghurs and other minority Muslim groups.</span><br />