Canadian Ambassador to focus on human rights during first visit to Xinjiang in ten years
Canada’s Ambassador to China Jennifer May is visiting Xinjiang Province, becoming the first Canadian envoy to do so in over ten years. Human rights groups have consistently reported severe human rights abuses against Uyghur groups in the region.
Ms. May disclosed her upcoming trip while testifying virtually before the House of Commons Canada-China committee on June 17. She emphasized the necessity of regularly addressing human rights issues with Chinese representatives as part of her role.
“Tomorrow, I will be heading to Xinjiang, marking the first visit by a Canadian ambassador to this region in over a decade,” Ms. May declared. “I will utilize this opportunity to convey Canada’s concerns to the region’s leadership and to firsthand observe the conditions on the ground.”
The Epoch Times contacted Global Affairs Canada for a comment on whether Chinese authorities would permit Ms. May to access evidence of human rights abuses during her Xinjiang visit. However, no response was received at the time of publication.
Forced Labour
During the June 17 committee meeting, several Members of Parliament expressed concern about forced labor involving Uyghur minorities in Xinjiang. NDP MP Heather McPherson criticized Canada for its failure to prevent the import of goods manufactured using forced labor in China.
As of April 2024, the government’s response to inquiries indicated that there had been no change in the interception of goods made with forced labor, despite Canada’s commitment to halt such imports under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The one interception, valued at $68,623, occurred in November 2021, involving children’s clothes produced with forced labor.
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Ms. McPherson contrasted Canada’s actions with those of the United States, praising their effective measures. She highlighted the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in the U.S., which restricts imports from Xinjiang’s reeducation camps. Since its implementation in June 2022, U.S. authorities have intercepted and refused entry to over 2,689 shipments from China.
She also inquired about Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan’s commitment to introduce a bill in Parliament by year’s end aimed at blocking goods produced with forced labor. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison deferred the question to the federal government for a response.
Conservative MP Tom Kmiec raised concerns about China’s use of forced labor in developing renewable energy sources and solar panels. He alleged that these products were made with Uyghur forced labor.
In response, Mr. Morrison underlined Canada’s longstanding apprehension about forced labor in Xinjiang and elsewhere, emphasizing efforts to ensure transparency in supply chains, including for photovoltaic panels.
Canadians Detained
The plight of Canadians currently detained by Chinese authorities was a focal point for MPs during the June 17 committee meeting.
Mr. Kmiec specifically questioned the status of Huseyin Celil, a Canadian citizen and Uyghur rights activist imprisoned by Chinese authorities since 2006. Ms. May confirmed discussing the case with Chinese officials but cited China’s denial of Canada’s request for consular access due to Mr. Celil’s dual citizenship.
According to government reports from last December, 97 Canadians were incarcerated in China, surpassing the number of detainees in any other foreign state except the United States. Ms. May reiterated that the count of imprisoned Canadians in China remained approximately 100.
