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
The measures, which took effect on Saturday, include asset freezes and bans on entry.
Human rights groups have long accused Beijing of genocide and widespread abuses against Uyghur people.These include the mass use of forced labor in detention camps. China, however, denies any abuses.
“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.
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.
China’s foreign ministry said the sanctions include freezing the property of the two institutions and that of 15 individuals associated with the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and five from the Canada-Tibet Committee. The sanctions also ban these individuals from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau.
