Canada has come with sanctions imposing on eight senior Chinese officials, citing alleged state-led human rights violations in Xinjiang, Tibet, and against Falun Gong followers. The sanctions come in response to reports of arbitrary detention and widespread abuse, including psychological, physical, and sexual violence, faced by more than one million Uyghur Muslims and others in Xinjiang since 2017.
Canadian Foreign Ministry condemned China’s actions in Xinjiang, reiterating concerns over the systematic repression of Uyghurs. A 2022 UN report highlighted the possibility that China’s treatment of Uyghurs could amount to crimes against humanity a claim Beijing has consistently denied.
The sanctions target prominent figures, including Chen Quanguo, the former Communist Party chief in Xinjiang, and Wu Yingjie, the former Communist Party head in Tibet. These individuals face an asset freeze, prohibiting Canadians from engaging in property-related activities or providing financial services to them.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly emphasized Canada’s commitment to upholding human rights and called on China to cease its campaign of repression. In response, China condemned Canada’s actions, accusing it of interfering in its internal affairs and using human rights as a pretext for political meddling.
Tensions between Canada and China have been high since 2018, when Canada detained Huawei’s Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, leading to a diplomatic standoff. Despite efforts to normalize relations, Canada’s allegations of Chinese political interference continue to strain ties. Other Western countries, including the US, UK, and EU, have also imposed sanctions on China over human rights concerns in Xinjiang.
