The Canadian Government Must Categorically Support All Anti-Genocide Recommendations Released by Foreign Affairs Committee
July 30th, 2021
On June 23rd, the Government of Canada released their response to the fourth report published by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE). Among the committee’s 15 recommendations, some of the most critical requests made to the Canadian government included:
We thank the Federal Government for providing a detailed overview of its numerous statements, condemnations, and frequent diplomatic reactions to the developing human rights crisis facing Uighur Muslims.
However, when analyzing the Canadian Government’s Government’s response to each recommendation, it is clear that in most instances, they do not directly or fully agree with the human rights recommendations brought forth.
For example, the government often “takes note” of recommendations related to business transactions and forced labour. However, they do not commit to implementing substantial measures that prevent Canadian companies from dealing with Chinese entities connected to the widespread repression of Uighurs.
Concerning the recommendation of formally acknowledging the genocide, the government fails to rectify the Federal Cabinet’s recent silence during the Parliamentary vote seeking to label China’s persecution of Uighurs a genocide. According to their response, the Canadian Government won’t categorically declare the situation a genocide unless an independent investigation is conducted. This is highly problematic since China has already denied access to UN investigators from entering Xinjiang.
The Canadian Government has also failed to assure that businesses, institutions, and publicly traded companies will not work with Chinese surveillance and technology entities involved in the daily control and repression of this Indigenous population.
“Ideally, the Canadian Government should take a more definite stance on the concerning nature of human rights violations highlighted by the foreign affairs committee. The government’s responses contain too many dead-ends and gray areas. The lives and security of Uighurs now depend on the international community. Sadly, Canada is letting them down,” reflected Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.
On June 23rd, the Government of Canada released their response to the fourth report published by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE). Among the committee’s 15 recommendations, some of the most critical requests made to the Canadian government included:
- The release of unjustly detained Uighurs and Turkic Muslims from concentration camps
- Unfettered access to Xinjiang to evaluate the humanitarian situation of Uighurs in the region
- Implementing measures to ensure Canadian companies and individuals aren’t supplying information or technologies that aid in the violation of Uighur rights
- Tracking the harassment of Uighurs (including Uighur human rights defenders) in Canada by Chinese authorities
- Expediting protection for Uighur refugees, asylum seekers, and suspending deportation of Uighurs
- Securing the release of Uighur-Canadian Huseyin Celil, and bringing him home to his family in Canada
We thank the Federal Government for providing a detailed overview of its numerous statements, condemnations, and frequent diplomatic reactions to the developing human rights crisis facing Uighur Muslims.
However, when analyzing the Canadian Government’s Government’s response to each recommendation, it is clear that in most instances, they do not directly or fully agree with the human rights recommendations brought forth.
For example, the government often “takes note” of recommendations related to business transactions and forced labour. However, they do not commit to implementing substantial measures that prevent Canadian companies from dealing with Chinese entities connected to the widespread repression of Uighurs.
Concerning the recommendation of formally acknowledging the genocide, the government fails to rectify the Federal Cabinet’s recent silence during the Parliamentary vote seeking to label China’s persecution of Uighurs a genocide. According to their response, the Canadian Government won’t categorically declare the situation a genocide unless an independent investigation is conducted. This is highly problematic since China has already denied access to UN investigators from entering Xinjiang.
The Canadian Government has also failed to assure that businesses, institutions, and publicly traded companies will not work with Chinese surveillance and technology entities involved in the daily control and repression of this Indigenous population.
“Ideally, the Canadian Government should take a more definite stance on the concerning nature of human rights violations highlighted by the foreign affairs committee. The government’s responses contain too many dead-ends and gray areas. The lives and security of Uighurs now depend on the international community. Sadly, Canada is letting them down,” reflected Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.