Responding to Canada’s Sanctions Challenging the Uyghur Genocide and China’s Retaliatory Measures
December 23rd, 2024
Just weeks after Justice For All Canada submitted recommendations on strengthening forced labour import bans, we applaud the Canadian government’s decision to impose sanctions this month on eight Chinese officials for their involvement in egregious human rights violations in Chinese-Occupied East Turkistan. This move builds on years of tireless advocacy by Uyghur leaders, rights organizations, and grassroots activists who have persistently called for freedom and justice on behalf of millions of Uyghurs. The Uyghur people have been subjected to mass detention, forced labour, family separation, gender-based violence, cultural destruction—and overall genocide—among the many deplorable crimes against humanity facing this community.
The names of the sanctioned individuals are synonymous with state-led repression: Chen Quanguo, for instance, orchestrated the construction of a mass internment camp system in East Turkistan and implemented invasive surveillance measures. Unsurprisingly, the Chinese communist party has responded with retaliatory actions against Canadian advocacy groups and human rights defenders, which include sanctions targeting human rights groups such as the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP). Justice For All Canada stands in solidarity with the Uyghur community in Canada. We strongly condemn Beijing’s intent to suppress truth-telling and intimidate those who speak out against its abuses.
Such concerning developments are emblematic of a broader struggle between those who seek accountability and those who perpetrate abuses with impunity. Canada’s sanctions were imposed in response to undeniable evidence of atrocities, including a 2022 United Nations report detailing mass detentions, forced sterilizations, torture, and labour exploitation in East Turkistan. In contrast, China’s retaliatory measures are an affront to human rights and a desperate attempt to shield its officials from accountability.
While sanctions remain vital policy measures, millions of lives remain at risk in East Turkistan, as Uyghur people fight for their safety, wellbeing, and survival. Canada must join international pressure on China to halt its genocidal policies. Currently, we urge the government to:
In November, Justice For All Canada’s Save Uyghur campaign, together with the Alberta Uyghur Association and the Center for Uyghur Studies, previously submitted detailed recommendations to Canada’s public consultation on strengthening import bans on goods produced by forced labour. Informed by Uyghur diaspora leaders and human rights experts, this submission called for urgent action to address forced labour linked to the ongoing genocide in East Turkistan. Weeks later, we appreciate how Canada announced significant sanctions against eight Chinese officials responsible for these abuses. While this is an important step forward, we hope it marks the beginning of a broader effort to ensure Canadian markets are free of goods tied to forced labour and to hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable. While this is an important step forward, we hope it marks the beginning of a broader and sustained effort to end the ongoing genocide in East Turkistan, ensure Canadian markets are free of goods tied to forced labour, and hold those responsible for these atrocities fully accountable.
Just weeks after Justice For All Canada submitted recommendations on strengthening forced labour import bans, we applaud the Canadian government’s decision to impose sanctions this month on eight Chinese officials for their involvement in egregious human rights violations in Chinese-Occupied East Turkistan. This move builds on years of tireless advocacy by Uyghur leaders, rights organizations, and grassroots activists who have persistently called for freedom and justice on behalf of millions of Uyghurs. The Uyghur people have been subjected to mass detention, forced labour, family separation, gender-based violence, cultural destruction—and overall genocide—among the many deplorable crimes against humanity facing this community.
The names of the sanctioned individuals are synonymous with state-led repression: Chen Quanguo, for instance, orchestrated the construction of a mass internment camp system in East Turkistan and implemented invasive surveillance measures. Unsurprisingly, the Chinese communist party has responded with retaliatory actions against Canadian advocacy groups and human rights defenders, which include sanctions targeting human rights groups such as the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP). Justice For All Canada stands in solidarity with the Uyghur community in Canada. We strongly condemn Beijing’s intent to suppress truth-telling and intimidate those who speak out against its abuses.
Such concerning developments are emblematic of a broader struggle between those who seek accountability and those who perpetrate abuses with impunity. Canada’s sanctions were imposed in response to undeniable evidence of atrocities, including a 2022 United Nations report detailing mass detentions, forced sterilizations, torture, and labour exploitation in East Turkistan. In contrast, China’s retaliatory measures are an affront to human rights and a desperate attempt to shield its officials from accountability.
While sanctions remain vital policy measures, millions of lives remain at risk in East Turkistan, as Uyghur people fight for their safety, wellbeing, and survival. Canada must join international pressure on China to halt its genocidal policies. Currently, we urge the government to:
- Strengthen import regulations by implementing comprehensive measures to prevent goods produced through forced labour, particularly from East Turkistan, from entering Canadian markets. This includes enforcing the prohibition of imports made with forced labour and enhancing supply chain transparency.
- Advocate for detainee releases by pressing for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained Uyghurs, including Canadian citizen Huseyin Celil, who has been imprisoned by China since 2006.
- Protect Uyghur diaspora communities by establishing robust protections for Uyghur Canadians facing transnational repression, ensuring their safety and freedom from foreign intimidation.
- Support international accountability mechanisms by collaborating with international partners to hold Chinese officials accountable for human rights abuses, including supporting investigations and sanctions at the United Nations and other international forums.
- Enhance refugee support by providing asylum and support services to Uyghurs fleeing persecution, ensuring they have access to protection and resources in Canada.
In November, Justice For All Canada’s Save Uyghur campaign, together with the Alberta Uyghur Association and the Center for Uyghur Studies, previously submitted detailed recommendations to Canada’s public consultation on strengthening import bans on goods produced by forced labour. Informed by Uyghur diaspora leaders and human rights experts, this submission called for urgent action to address forced labour linked to the ongoing genocide in East Turkistan. Weeks later, we appreciate how Canada announced significant sanctions against eight Chinese officials responsible for these abuses. While this is an important step forward, we hope it marks the beginning of a broader effort to ensure Canadian markets are free of goods tied to forced labour and to hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable. While this is an important step forward, we hope it marks the beginning of a broader and sustained effort to end the ongoing genocide in East Turkistan, ensure Canadian markets are free of goods tied to forced labour, and hold those responsible for these atrocities fully accountable.