New Delhi: China has warned Canada against damaging relations over Uyghur genocide issue. China targeted Canadian parliamentarians and said they are spreading lies and rumours against the Uyghur minority community in Xinjiang.
In Canada’s House of Commons – Chinese spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that “The sub-committee of the Canadian parliament neglects the fact of political stability, economic growth, ethnic solidarity and social harmony in Xinjiang. Its groundless statement is full of lies and disinformation. This is blatant interference in China’s internal affairs and reflects those Canadian individuals’ ignorance and prejudice,”
On this issue Chinese media reported that “The move comes after a subcommittee of Canada’s Parliament called out China on genocide in Xinjiang province.”
The committee also called for human rights-related sanctions.
Responding to the allegations Zhao said in that “China has repeatedly made clear our stern position on Xinjiang. Xinjiang-related issues are not at all about human rights. The so-called genocide in Xinjiang is a rumour and a farce fabricated by some anti-China forces to slander China.” He said this in Canada’s subcommittee.
The Canadian committee used the term “concentration camps” to describe Chinese centres for forcible political indoctrination and skills training. It also mentioned documents with details on plans to subject women of child-bearing age to birth control in Xinjiang.
“Witnesses were clear that the Government of China’s actions is a clear attempt to eradicate Uyghur culture and religion,” the committee wrote.
The way China reacts with Uyghur Muslims and breaching human rights, the committee asked Canadian leadership to impose sanctions against Chinese officials for human-rights abuses.
According to the official data around 10 million Uyghur Muslims are residing in Xinjiang and among them 45% is Turkic Muslims. China regularly denies such mistreatment and says the camps provide vocational training.
The Chinese government has been admonished world-over for its repressive measures against the ethnic Uyghurs like mass detention, mass surveillance, restriction of religious and cultural identities, as well as other gross human rights abuses.
(Vinayak Barot)
