China is taking action against Canadian institutions and individuals over Uyghur and Tibetan issues

On Sunday, China announced that it would implement countermeasures against two Canadian organizations and 20 individuals linked to human rights issues related to the Uyghurs and Tibet. These measures, which came into effect on Saturday, involve asset freezes and entry bans. The targeted entities include the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Canada-Tibet Committee, as stated on the website of China’s foreign ministry.

Human rights organizations have accused the Chinese government of extensive violations against the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group of approximately 10 million residing in the Xinjiang region, including the widespread use of forced labor in detention camps. The Chinese government, however, refutes these allegations.

China asserts that it took control of Tibet in 1950 through what it terms a “peaceful liberation” from a feudal system. In contrast, international human rights organizations and Tibetan exiles frequently denounce what they characterize as China’s repressive governance in Tibetan regions.

Regarding the two organizations, China has announced the freezing of their “movable property, immovable property, and other types of property within the territory of China.” This includes the assets of 15 individuals associated with the Uyghur organization and five linked to the Tibet committee, all of whom are also prohibited from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau.