Dharamshala — The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile strongly condemns China's sanctions against the Canada Tibet Committee, the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and 20 human rights defenders in Canada. The Tibetan Parliament also calls on China to immediately cease all forms of transnational repression aimed at intimidating and silencing those who courageously defend human rights at home and abroad.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared on December 22, 2024 that China had sanctioned two Canadian institutions and 20 individuals involved in human rights issues concerning Uyghurs and Tibet. The measures, which took effect on December 21, 2024, include asset freezes and entry bans to China. Targets include the Canadian-based Uyghur Rights Project, the Canada-Tibet Committee and 20 human rights defenders in Canada.
The Canada-Tibet Committee issued an official statement on December 22, 2024, following the Chinese government's sanction. The statement said, "The Canada Tibet Committee (CTC) has been engaged in Tibet Advocacy work in Canada for some 38 years, always within the framework of democratic processes and in the spirit of non-violence and human rights in line with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long-held stance on Tibet."
"The CTC’s advocacy is therefore informed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Middle Way approach, which seeks to reach a peaceful accommodation on the Tibet issue with justice and dignity. The threat to withdraw access to the PRC is just a formalization of a long-standing practice to deny diaspora Tibetans access to the High Plateau (Tibet) and families — public participation in an open democratic society is not a crime in Canada," it added.
"At this juncture, we call on the Govt of Canada to ensure that those sanctioned do not come to harm within Canada or other democratic entities. We note that we are privileged to be in good company with our Uyghur and Canadian partners and friends.This move actually strengthens our resolve to keep on this path and continue to advocate for policies that bring about a just and equitable solution to the harsh occupation and repression now ongoing in Tibet," the statement concluded.
Following China's sanction, the Canadian government also issued a statement on December 24, 2024, condemning the Chinese government and expressing its solidarity with the organizations and individuals concerned. The statement said, "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 of people in Canada or their family and friends because of their political opinions or to silence dissenting viewpoints," the Canadian government added.
“Multiple independent United Nations experts and other established multilateral mechanisms have called on China to respond meaningfully to credible allegations of human rights violations. China must respect its obligations under international law. Canada views scrutiny of its own human rights record as an opportunity to improve its performance, and continues to call on China to do so, as well," the statement said.
On December 25, 2024, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile issued a statement on China’s Sanctions Against Tibetan and Uyghur Advocacy Groups in Canada. The statement said, "The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile stands in solidarity with the members of the Canada Tibet Committee and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, applauding their courage in speaking out against the atrocities and severe human rights violations committed by China."
"We strongly condemn China’s decision to sanction these organizations and individuals. We call on China to immediately cease all forms of transnational repression designed to intimidate and silence those who courageously speak out for human rights at home and abroad,"Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said.
