Urgent Action Needed: Minister Joly's Visit to China Must Address Uyghur Genocide and Foreign Interference
July 18th, 2024
Justice For All Canada is deeply concerned about Minister Mélanie Joly’s upcoming visit to China on July 19, 2024. This visit presents a crucial opportunity for Canada to address severe and ongoing issues in its relations with China, including foreign interference and human rights abuses, particularly the ongoing Uyghur genocide previously recognized by Canadian Parliament.
The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) has highlighted serious concerns about foreign interference in Canada by China. According to the NSICOP report, China represents the most significant foreign interference threat to Canada’s democratic institutions and process. There have been multiple instances of Chinese government attempts to influence Canadian elections, intimidate Chinese-Canadian communities, and undermine Canadian democratic institutions. These actions not only threaten Canada's sovereignty and democratic integrity, but also impact the wellbeing and safety of minorities in Canada.
Additionally, this month Human Rights Watch urged a robust follow-up after China’s Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Despite clear evidence of rights abuses in East Turkestan, Tibet, Hong Kong, and across China, the Chinese government rejected recommendations to end such abuses and dismissed the landmark 2022 UN report on Uyghurs as "illegal and void."
Furthermore, the human rights situation in East Turkestan continues to deteriorate. Over two million Uyghurs continue to be detained in re-education camps, where they face forced labour, systematic torture, and forced sterilizations. Reports have documented widespread sexual violence, with women subjected to rape and other forms of sexual abuse. Human rights groups also report that China has renamed hundreds of Uyghur villages and towns. Such collective crimes against humanity constitute targeted acts of violence and repression aimed at eradicating Uyghurs, including their culture and identity.
On behalf of Uyghurs in Canada and other global members of the diaspora, Minister Joly must address these issues directly and demand accountability and resolve from Chinese officials. As Minister Joly has stated ahead of the meeting, “we must maintain open lines of communication and use diplomacy to challenge where we ought to, while seeking cooperation in areas that matter most to Canadians.” We trust Minister Joly will stay true to her words, and will be monitoring the human rights issues raised at the meeting in China.
This visit is a moment for strong, principled leadership. Minister Joly must use this visit to unequivocally condemn these human rights violations and demand concrete actions from the Chinese government to end the repression of the Uyghur people. The government must make it clear that Canada will not tolerate foreign interference or the ongoing genocide against Uyghurs.
Justice For All Canada implores Minister Joly to prioritize these issues and ensure that Canada's foreign policy reflects its commitment to justice and human rights. Diplomatic engagement must not come at the cost of human rights.
Justice For All Canada is deeply concerned about Minister Mélanie Joly’s upcoming visit to China on July 19, 2024. This visit presents a crucial opportunity for Canada to address severe and ongoing issues in its relations with China, including foreign interference and human rights abuses, particularly the ongoing Uyghur genocide previously recognized by Canadian Parliament.
The National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) has highlighted serious concerns about foreign interference in Canada by China. According to the NSICOP report, China represents the most significant foreign interference threat to Canada’s democratic institutions and process. There have been multiple instances of Chinese government attempts to influence Canadian elections, intimidate Chinese-Canadian communities, and undermine Canadian democratic institutions. These actions not only threaten Canada's sovereignty and democratic integrity, but also impact the wellbeing and safety of minorities in Canada.
Additionally, this month Human Rights Watch urged a robust follow-up after China’s Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council. Despite clear evidence of rights abuses in East Turkestan, Tibet, Hong Kong, and across China, the Chinese government rejected recommendations to end such abuses and dismissed the landmark 2022 UN report on Uyghurs as "illegal and void."
Furthermore, the human rights situation in East Turkestan continues to deteriorate. Over two million Uyghurs continue to be detained in re-education camps, where they face forced labour, systematic torture, and forced sterilizations. Reports have documented widespread sexual violence, with women subjected to rape and other forms of sexual abuse. Human rights groups also report that China has renamed hundreds of Uyghur villages and towns. Such collective crimes against humanity constitute targeted acts of violence and repression aimed at eradicating Uyghurs, including their culture and identity.
On behalf of Uyghurs in Canada and other global members of the diaspora, Minister Joly must address these issues directly and demand accountability and resolve from Chinese officials. As Minister Joly has stated ahead of the meeting, “we must maintain open lines of communication and use diplomacy to challenge where we ought to, while seeking cooperation in areas that matter most to Canadians.” We trust Minister Joly will stay true to her words, and will be monitoring the human rights issues raised at the meeting in China.
This visit is a moment for strong, principled leadership. Minister Joly must use this visit to unequivocally condemn these human rights violations and demand concrete actions from the Chinese government to end the repression of the Uyghur people. The government must make it clear that Canada will not tolerate foreign interference or the ongoing genocide against Uyghurs.
Justice For All Canada implores Minister Joly to prioritize these issues and ensure that Canada's foreign policy reflects its commitment to justice and human rights. Diplomatic engagement must not come at the cost of human rights.