China Sanctions Canadian Institutions Advocating for Uyghur and Tibetan Rights

China Sanctions Canadian Human Rights Groups and 20 Advocates Over Uyghur and Tibetan Rights

By Uyghur Times Staff
Dec 28, 2024

China has announced sanctions against two Canadian institutions, the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Canada-Tibet Committee, along with 20 individuals involved in human rights advocacy related to the Uyghur and Tibetan communities, according to Reuters.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: “Recently, the Canadian side sanctioned Chinese personnel on the pretext of so-called human rights violations. In accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People’s Republic of China, and in order to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and organizations, China has decided to take countermeasures against relevant Canadian institutions and individuals. We once again strongly urge the Canadian side to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs in any form, and to stop engaging in political manipulation on human rights issues.”

The measures, which took effect on Saturday, include asset freezes and bans on entry.

On December 21, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on its official website its decision to take countermeasures against relevant Canadian institutions and individuals. The measures include:”

1. Against the “Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project” and the “Canada Tibet Committee”:
   Freezing their movable property, immovable property, and all other types of assets within China; and prohibiting organizations and individuals within China from conducting any transactions, cooperation, or related activities with them.
2. Against personnel related to the “Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project” and the “Canada Tibet Committee”:
   Freezing their movable and immovable property and other assets within China; prohibiting organizations and individuals within China from conducting any transactions or cooperation with them personally; and denying them visas and entry into China, including Hong Kong and Macau.”

Human rights organizations have for years accused Beijing of carrying out genocide and systematic crimes against the Uyghur people, including the mass exploitation of forced labor in detention camps, the coercive sterilization of women, and the deliberate destruction of Uyghur identity and culture through the arrest of community leaders and the eradication of Uyghur-language education.

China, however, denies any abuses.

Global Affairs Canada today issued the statement supporting the sanctioned groups:

“On December 22, 2024, the Government of the People’s Republic of China arbitrarily targeted two Canadian civil society organizations and twenty human rights campaigners with sanctions.

“Global Affairs Canada expresses solidarity with the members of the Canadian Tibet Committee and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and condemns the decision by the Chinese government to punish them for speaking out for human rights.

“The Government of Canada will not tolerate any threats, acts of violence, or harassment against people in Canada, or against their families and friends, because of their political opinions or to silence dissenting viewpoints.”

“I accept it (the sanctions) as a badge of honor,” said Mehmet Tohti, executive director of the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, in an interview on Monday. “What we did here in Canada has started to resonate in China, and it’s beginning to disrupt their plans. For that reason, I see this as a sign of accomplishment,” Tohti added.

“The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) is appalled by the Chinese government’s decision to impose sanctions on the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP), led by Mr. Mehmet Tohti—a former WUC Director of the Legal Committee—and 14 of its staff members and experts.” said WUC in a statement issued in solidarity with it partner organizations sanctioned by China.

China seized control of Tibet in 1950, claiming it was a “peaceful liberation” from feudalistic serfdom. However, international human rights groups and Tibetan exiles have routinely condemned Beijing’s oppressive rule in Tibetan regions.Uyghurs believe that China has occupied their homeland as well.

The Canada Tibet Committee issued a statement calling the sanctions a reinforcement of its resolve to advocate for Tibetan rights. It urged the Canadian government to ensure that sanctioned individuals are protected within Canada.

“The threat to withdraw access to the PRC is merely a formalization of a long-standing practice of denying diaspora Tibetans access to the High Plateau and to their families. Public participation in an open democratic society is not a crime in Canada.”