Human Rights: A Hypocritical Stance by Canada?
China is accusing Canada of hypocrisy for criticizing Beijing’s human rights record, pointing to issues faced by Indigenous Peoples.
China’s Response
The blowback comes after Ottawa sanctioned eight Chinese officials it accuses of "grave human rights violations" against ethnic and religious minorities, and voiced concern about democracy in Hong Kong. Ottawa issued a statement last month that cited reports of arbitrary and violent detainment of Uyghur people, as well as repression toward Tibetans and Falun Gong practitioners. Global Affairs Canada also says it "deplores" that authorities are issuing international bounties for Hong Kong democracy activists and former lawmakers from the territory, including Canadians.
China’s Counterargument
Beijing says those claims are baseless and it has sanctioned groups and activists in Canada who advocate for minorities in China, barring citizens from certain interactions with these activists. Since then, China’s state media has repeatedly called out Canada over its treatment of Indigenous Peoples, claiming Ottawa is being hypocritical.
Mao Ning’s Statement
"Canada is in no position to lecture others on human rights," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a Dec. 11 press conference, according to an official translation. "Even today, Canada’s Indigenous people still face systemic racial discrimination and unfair treatment. Instead of dealing with it, Canada chooses to smear and vilify other countries."
China’s Assessment of Human Rights
Mao added that "China has achieved enormous progress in human rights" that "no one without bias can deny." A day later, she added that "the whole thing is an ugly, hypocritical political stunt done by some Canadian political figures under the pretext of human rights, to serve an unspeakable agenda and please the U.S."
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China’s Embassy in Ottawa
China’s embassy in Ottawa has been amplifying those messages on social media, including a political cartoon from a state-run media outlet CGTN showing a beaver with a tattered home telling a panda with an immaculate house that it has some cracks.
United Nations Assessment
In a recurring assessment of human-rights issues in Canada, the United Nations noted progress had been made in Indigenous rights and housing, while urging more be done. The November 2023 assessment asked Canadian governments to stop human-rights abuses by Canadian mining corporations abroad and the overrepresentation of minorities in prison and child welfare. It also asked Canada to better respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights to free, prior and informed consent.
Conclusion
China’s accusations of hypocrisy against Canada are a wake-up call for the country to address its own human rights issues, particularly regarding Indigenous Peoples.
FAQs
Q: What are China’s concerns with Canada’s human rights record?
A: China is accusing Canada of hypocrisy, pointing to issues faced by Indigenous Peoples, including systemic racial discrimination and unfair treatment.
Q: What did China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning say about Canada’s human rights record?
A: Mao Ning stated that "Canada is in no position to lecture others on human rights" and that the country’s treatment of Indigenous Peoples is unfair.
Q: How did Canada respond to China’s accusations?
A: Ottawa issued a statement criticizing China’s human rights record and sanctioned eight Chinese officials accused of "grave human rights violations".
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