On August 31, 2024, Global Affairs Canada released a statement marking the second anniversary of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ assessment on the human rights situation in East Turkistan.
The statement highlights that two years have passed since the UN’s landmark report, which detailed severe human rights violations against Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. The report raised concerns that the arbitrary and discriminatory detentions in the region might amount to international crimes, including crimes against humanity.
Despite calls from Canada, other governments, UN experts, and human rights organizations, the statement notes that China has not taken meaningful action to address these concerns. Systemic human rights abuses continue, including forced labor, restrictions on religious practices, and the targeting of mosques. Additionally, UN experts have expressed alarm over children being forced into state-run residential schools in East Turkistan.
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, and Canada’s Ambassador to China, Jennifer May, have both raised these concerns with Chinese officials, including Wang Yi, China’s Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Canada calls on China to implement the recommendations from the UN assessment, allow independent UN experts access to East Turkistan, and take immediate steps to address the ongoing human rights violations. The statement concludes by affirming Canada’s commitment to working with international partners to hold the Chinese government accountable for its actions in Xinjiang.