Calls for Urgent Action Following UN Human Rights Chief Alarming Warning on Palestine, Kashmir, and Uyghurs
March 20th, 2025
Justice for All Canada supports a recent statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council on March 5, 2025. Türk called for urgent international action, not empty declarations, to confront worsening repression, violence, and collective punishment being inflicted on vulnerable communities, including against Palestinians, Kashmiris, and Uyghurs.
We call on Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney to heed these warnings and undertake sustained intervention, such as diplomatic, policy, or economic measures.
Occupied Palestine
In Gaza, Commissioner Türk acknowledged Israel’s warfare in Gaza, stating they have “razed the territory” and “destroyed its social and physical fabric”. He called for the ceasefire to hold and serve as a basis for peace, and that any resolution must be rooted in human rights, self-determination, the rule of law, and accountability.
The reality on the ground is even more dire. Israeli forces have broken the ceasefire by launching a horrendous bombardment campaign targeting several Gazan cities, murdering hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including children. Over 30% of Gaza’s health sector has shut down due to deliberate power cuts and fuel shortages, with ambulances being blocked from reaching the wounded. The continued siege has resulted in the mass starvation of civilians. Humanitarian convoys carrying food and medical supplies have been obstructed, with some directly targeted. Independent reports confirm that children are dying of malnutrition, while critical care patients perish due to lack of electricity for life-saving equipment.
Commissioner Türk also expressed concern about Israel’s actions in the West Bank, including the use of tanks and airstrikes, expansion of illegal settlements and forcible displacement of Palestinians. The Commissioner was clear that Israel’s unilateral actions and plans for the illegal annexation of the West Bank must come to an end.
Indian-Occupied Kashmir
Commissioner Türk condemned the continued repression, such as the use of restrictive laws and harassment against human rights defenders and independent journalists in Kashmir. However, the situation is worsening at an alarming rate.
Mass detentions have intensified: over 500 Kashmiris were arbitrarily arrested in sweeping nocturnal raids, targeting civilians, former political prisoners, and others. Meanwhile, India’s right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP-led) government has escalated its suppression of free expression. In February, Indian authorities seized 668 books linked to an Islamic publisher through police raids on bookstores. Additionally, according to a recent statement by Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement, Altaf Ahmed Bhat, Indian forces have been responsible for the deaths of 22,981 Kashmiri women. Approximately 2,500 of whom are living as “half-widows” due to the enforced disappearances of their husbands. Bhat reported that 11,265 women have suffered sexual violence and exploitation by Indian military forces.
Uyghur Refugees
In his address, Commissioner Türk expressed deep concern over Thailand's deportation of 40 Uyghur asylum seekers to China, labelling it a clear violation of non-refoulement law. Detained in Thailand since 2014 under poor conditions, these Uyghurs now face significant risks of torture, ill-treatment, or other irreparable harm upon their return. New satellite images confirm that China continues to expand detention facilities in East Turkestan, contradicting Beijing’s claims that re-education camps have been shut down.
Their deportation has sparked international outrage, particularly as Canada had offered to resettle the Uyghur detainees before their forced return. Following Parliament’s recognition of China’s actions against Uyghurs as genocide and the passage of a bill allowing 10,000 Uyghurs to resettle in Canada, the government must take stronger action to further expand pathways for Uyghur refugees.
The Canadian Government must translate the High Commissioner’s warnings into real consequences for perpetrators.
Justice for All Canada demands urgent action and meaningful accountability to ensure these human rights violations do not continue with impunity.
Justice for All Canada supports a recent statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council on March 5, 2025. Türk called for urgent international action, not empty declarations, to confront worsening repression, violence, and collective punishment being inflicted on vulnerable communities, including against Palestinians, Kashmiris, and Uyghurs.
We call on Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney to heed these warnings and undertake sustained intervention, such as diplomatic, policy, or economic measures.
Occupied Palestine
In Gaza, Commissioner Türk acknowledged Israel’s warfare in Gaza, stating they have “razed the territory” and “destroyed its social and physical fabric”. He called for the ceasefire to hold and serve as a basis for peace, and that any resolution must be rooted in human rights, self-determination, the rule of law, and accountability.
The reality on the ground is even more dire. Israeli forces have broken the ceasefire by launching a horrendous bombardment campaign targeting several Gazan cities, murdering hundreds of Palestinian civilians, including children. Over 30% of Gaza’s health sector has shut down due to deliberate power cuts and fuel shortages, with ambulances being blocked from reaching the wounded. The continued siege has resulted in the mass starvation of civilians. Humanitarian convoys carrying food and medical supplies have been obstructed, with some directly targeted. Independent reports confirm that children are dying of malnutrition, while critical care patients perish due to lack of electricity for life-saving equipment.
Commissioner Türk also expressed concern about Israel’s actions in the West Bank, including the use of tanks and airstrikes, expansion of illegal settlements and forcible displacement of Palestinians. The Commissioner was clear that Israel’s unilateral actions and plans for the illegal annexation of the West Bank must come to an end.
Indian-Occupied Kashmir
Commissioner Türk condemned the continued repression, such as the use of restrictive laws and harassment against human rights defenders and independent journalists in Kashmir. However, the situation is worsening at an alarming rate.
Mass detentions have intensified: over 500 Kashmiris were arbitrarily arrested in sweeping nocturnal raids, targeting civilians, former political prisoners, and others. Meanwhile, India’s right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP-led) government has escalated its suppression of free expression. In February, Indian authorities seized 668 books linked to an Islamic publisher through police raids on bookstores. Additionally, according to a recent statement by Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Salvation Movement, Altaf Ahmed Bhat, Indian forces have been responsible for the deaths of 22,981 Kashmiri women. Approximately 2,500 of whom are living as “half-widows” due to the enforced disappearances of their husbands. Bhat reported that 11,265 women have suffered sexual violence and exploitation by Indian military forces.
Uyghur Refugees
In his address, Commissioner Türk expressed deep concern over Thailand's deportation of 40 Uyghur asylum seekers to China, labelling it a clear violation of non-refoulement law. Detained in Thailand since 2014 under poor conditions, these Uyghurs now face significant risks of torture, ill-treatment, or other irreparable harm upon their return. New satellite images confirm that China continues to expand detention facilities in East Turkestan, contradicting Beijing’s claims that re-education camps have been shut down.
Their deportation has sparked international outrage, particularly as Canada had offered to resettle the Uyghur detainees before their forced return. Following Parliament’s recognition of China’s actions against Uyghurs as genocide and the passage of a bill allowing 10,000 Uyghurs to resettle in Canada, the government must take stronger action to further expand pathways for Uyghur refugees.
The Canadian Government must translate the High Commissioner’s warnings into real consequences for perpetrators.
- In Gaza, we call for an end to the blockade, immediate humanitarian access, and accountability for genocide and war crimes committed against civilians. In the West Bank, we call for an end to Israel’s illegal settlement expansion and attacks against Palestinians.
- In Kashmir, we urge international bodies to pressure the Indian government to release political prisoners, restore press freedoms, and allow independent investigations into ongoing human rights abuses.
- Regarding Uyghurs, we call on governments to refuse complicity in China’s repression by halting asylum seeker deportations and pursuing accountability mechanisms through international legal bodies.
Justice for All Canada demands urgent action and meaningful accountability to ensure these human rights violations do not continue with impunity.