US-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to prioritize addressing human rights violations by Chinese authorities during his upcoming visit to China from January 13-17.
Carney’s visit, the first by a Canadian Prime Minister in over eight years, occurs amidst strained Canada-China relations exacerbated by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s increased repression domestically and internationally. The Chinese government’s detainment of two Canadians as leverage from 2018 to 2021 to secure the release of a Huawei executive was highlighted by HRW as an unlawful act.
HRW’s Deputy Asia Director, Maya Wang, emphasized the need for Carney to ensure that discussions with Chinese officials on trade and security align with Canada’s values, emphasizing human rights promotion. Key issues to address include forced labor links to Canadian imports, persecution of human rights defenders, and China’s targeting of critics abroad, including in Canada.
The advocacy group underscored China’s labor rights violations beyond the Uyghur region, citing restrictions on independent labor unions, detention of activists, suppression of labor protests, and closure of labor monitoring bodies in Hong Kong. HRW stressed the importance of pressuring Beijing to uphold workers’ rights to safeguard Canadian consumers from products tainted by forced labor.
In Hong Kong, where a significant Canadian population resides, HRW noted the erosion of fundamental freedoms by the Chinese government, including curbing expression, association, assembly, fair elections, trial rights, and judicial independence. The organization also highlighted China’s transnational repression tactics to silence government critics globally, including in Canada.
While Canadian officials have condemned some cross-border abuses, HRW urged Carney to directly address transnational repression with President Xi to demonstrate a serious stance. The group emphasized that the Chinese government’s violations impact not only its citizens but also individuals worldwide, emphasizing the importance of utilizing diplomatic channels to raise human rights concerns during Carney’s visit.
