Confronting China's Dismal Human Rights Record

"We firmly oppose that [a motion in Canada's Parliament] because it runs counter to the facts. And it's like, you know, interfering in our domestic affairs."

"There's nothing like genocide happening in Xinjiang at all."

"I think we respect your values. But I think our core values should be: respect facts. And to stop spreading disinformation or even rumours."

Cong Peiwu, Chinese Ambassador to Canada 

"[The motion and vote to follow are a requirement, to send a] clear and unequivocal signal that we will stand up for human rights and the dignity of human rights, even if it means sacrificing some economic opportunity."

Leader of the Official Opposition, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole

"There is no question there have been tremendous human rights abuses coming out of Xinjiang. [However, use of the word must be] properly justified and demonstrated so as not to weaken the application of 'genocide' in situations in the past."

"[We -- Liberal caucus -- have] taken careful note of conclusions drawn by experts around the world, including findings of crimes against humanity and genocide."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

MPs pass motion declaring genocide against Uighurs in China, despite cabinet abstentions

 

The targeted brutality by China against Tibetans refusing to surrender their sovereignty to a grasping hegemonic China is well enough known in the public sphere. China's threats toward its regional neighbours in its ambitions to dominate and acquire disputed territories along with geographic areas known to be exclusive to China's neighbours' sovereignty has created an aura of anger and trepidation in relation to Beijing's aggressive threats against any who dispute its regional command.

The world has focused on the plight of Turkic Muslim Uyghurs in a Chinese province that was once the homeland of the Uyghurs until it was swallowed into the maw of the People's Republic of China. The Chinese superpower's persecution of the Uyghurs is no secret; their human rights have been unmercifully trampled; forced sterilizations, culture and language suppression, interference in their religious devotion, and of course the 're-education' formula of mind control.

The claim for genocide in describing the plight of a people coerced by force into slave labour, who cannot live free lives because the dominant occupying power considers them to be 'terrorists' in need of de-escalation, to remake them into model Chinese citizens who will nevermore agitate for separation, appears to fall into the guidelines of the UN definition of genocide. A Canadian House of Commons subcommittee documented the human rights abuses leading to the charge of genocide. 

However, Canada's prime minister, who professes to be extremely sensitive about the use of the word 'genocide' to describe Beijing's campaign against the Xinjiang Uyghurs is a craven act of complicity. No such demurrals were expressed when a commissioned report led by a First Nations judge proclaimed that Canada committed 'genocide' against its aboriginal peoples, and it pleased the prime minister to assent to that language in describing Canada.

Under the Liberal Party of Canada a love affair with China has long since taken root, gripped by the potential for trade and investment and business opportunities with the nation with the largest population numbers on Earth. Under this current Liberal government whose ambition was driven to sign a free trade agreement with the Chinese Communist Party, that commitment to ingratiate Canada with the CCP flowered, and for Justin Trudeau, the heir of his father's prime ministerial decision to open full diplomatic ties with post-revolutionary China, no human rights abuses on China's part are too egregious to interfere with his admiration for the power of a totalitarian government.

China's ambassador to Canada knows full well that Beijing's long arm and persuasive funding has gained it the privilege of having its administrative abuses overlooked in favour of trade opportunities. He knows that China instills both awe and fear in the minds of other countries' political heads. He knows that it is Beijing that is interfering in Canada by harassing Chinese-Canadians who fail to support mainland China and decry its takeover of Hong Kong and threats toward Taiwan. Chinese investment in Canadian universities installing its Confucious Institutes to propagandize for China are sinister intrusions.

No, Beijing does not 'respect Canadian values'; it undermines them whenever and however it can. And its high degree of success in presenting itself as a partner in science, education, culture, business and politics, is a crude and effective choreograph undermining Canadian values. Industrial and military espionage is what motivates China. Its diplomatic missions worldwide with their links to the Chinese military and the CCP's agenda are skilled in what they are trained to do. They act as shills for state-linked corporations in communications, pharmacology and advanced technology.

So today, when the vote was cast in Canada's Parliament, it was overwhelming. Support for the recognition of China's persecution of the Uyghurs (Falon Gong, Tibetans, Christians aside) passed unanimously. With the entire Liberal cabinet of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau abstaining. Establishing beyond doubt that the oft-declared 'values' of this government supportive of human rights is a front for a screen of 'progressive' values. Where Justin Trudeau can see fit to criticize the democracy of India's Narendra Modi for his dispute with farmers with an underlying tone of support for Sikh Khalistanis, yet remain loyal to Communist China's agenda of suppressing Uyghur 'terrorism'.

Protesters gather outside the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, Monday, February 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld