Canada Sanctions Chinese Officials for ‘Gross and Systematic’ Rights Violations Against Uyghurs in Xinjiang

Protesters hold signs as they gather during Uyghur Freedom rally in New York on March 22, 2021. Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

Canada has announced sanctions against four officials and one entity in China “based on their participation in gross and systematic human rights violations” against Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).

Global Affairs Canada said Monday that the measures, effective March 22, are being taken in co-ordination with the United States and the United Kingdom, and in solidarity with the European Union.