Canadian Rights Advocates Latest Targets of Beijing’s Sanctions
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The Chinese regime has sanctioned 20 Canadian human rights advocates and two organizations that support persecuted Tibetans and Uyghurs in China.
The Beijing regime’s sanctions have drawn criticism, including from MP Michael Chong, the Conservatives’ foreign affairs critic, who himself was targeted for sanctions by the CCP in 2021.
“Sanctioning people simply for speaking up is a sign of weakness.”
Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole said the sanctions are the CCP’s attempt to “silence critics far beyond their shores,” after eradicating dissent within its controlled territory, such as Hong Kong.
The Epoch Times contacted both Global Affairs Canada and the Prime Minister’s Office for comment on the sanctions but did not receive a response by publication time.
Demonstrators participate in a rally to commemorate the failed 1959 Tibetan uprising against China's rule, outside of the Chinese Embassy in Washington on March 10, 2023. The gathering took place on what is known as Tibetan National Uprising Day. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
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In sanctioning the CCP officials, Ottawa highlighted the regime’s use of forced labour; psychological, physical, and sexual violence; arbitrary detention; and restrictions on basic human rights against Tibetans and Falun Gong practitioners.
‘Badge of Honour’
Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, policy adviser for URAP and a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa, said in an X post about Beijing’s sanctions: “I’m sanctioned — finally! It’s not as good as a bounty but it’s a badge of honour.”McCuaig-Johnston told The Epoch Times that she is proud to be among those sanctioned due to her support for Uyghurs and Tibetans, and said she looks forward to increasing her engagement on these human rights issues in the years ahead.
“The sanctions demonstrate that we are indeed having an international impact so they are trying to shut us down. Instead, we are even more focussed on bringing Beijing’s repression of its own citizens to light,” she said.
When asked why Beijing didn’t target Canadian officials instead of human rights groups and advocates, McCuaig-Johnston said sanctioning officials would be seen internationally as a major escalation of China’s aggression.
“Instead, in retaliation for Canada’s sanctions against those officials repressing the Uyghurs, Beijing has targeted those civilian Canadians who are working to stop that repression,” she said.
Mehmet Tohti, executive director of URAP, expressed pride in the group’s work that triggered the Chinese regime’s move to sanction him, his staff, and the advisory board.
“Sanction doesn’t work as I am literally under CCP sanction since 34 years.”
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Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project executive director Mehmet Tohti speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on Feb. 1, 2023. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
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“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 organization said.
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US Sanctions
Several of the CCP officials sanctioned by Ottawa have already been sanctioned by the U.S. government.
Zhang Hongbo, the former director of the Tibetan Public Security Bureau, was also sanctioned at the same time for his role in running detention centres in Tibet that enforced the policies.
