Special Committee on Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship urged to reconsider suspension of regular meetings by 10 human rights organizations

Today, 10 human rights organizations in Canada have written to the Special Committee on Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship to urge Members of Parliament to keep the Committee’s regular meetings in place. 

The letter follows reports that the Committee is considering suspending regular meetings. 

The letter notes the Committee’s unique role in addressing the complexities of the Canada–China relationship. Unlike individual standing committees, the Special Committee integrates a broad spectrum of issues, including trade, technology, foreign affairs, and public safety. This approach equips MPs to handle the strategic challenges posed by China more effectively, particularly as the bilateral relationship increasingly influences various sectors in Canadian society.

The letter also highlights that the Committee’s work is far from complete, with topics like Canada’s suspended participation in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, diplomatic visits to China, and the strategic implications of Taiwan Strait transits still requiring thorough examination. It also emphasizes the need to address ongoing human rights abuses, such as the repression in Tibet, the persecution of Uyghurs, the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong, and the suppression of Falun Gong practitioners. 

The joint letter can be viewed here.

Katherine Leung, Hong Kong Watch’s Policy Advisor for Canada, said:

“The Canada–China Committee was created so that MPs can examine the relationship and related issues with expertise and focus. To suspend regular meetings is to lose focus – the Committee’s work is nowhere near done, and regular meetings are essential to ensure that parliamentarians have adequate opportunity to study the issues with the depth and seriousness they deserve.”

香港監察等10個人權組織促請加中關係特別委員會維持召開定期會議

今天，10個加拿大人權組織去信加中關係特別委員會，促請國會議員維持召開委員會定期會議。

信函跟進有報導指委員會考慮暫停定期會議。

信函指出委員會在處理錯綜複雜加中關係方面的獨特作用。有別於個別常務委員會，特別委員會整合範圍廣泛的議題，包括貿易、科技、外交事務和公共安全。這個做法讓國會議員能夠更有效地應對中國構成的策略挑戰，尤其是在雙邊關係日漸影響加拿大社會各界的情況下。

此外，信函強調委員會的工作遠未完成，加拿大暫停參與亞洲基礎設施投資銀行、外交訪問中國、台灣海峽運輸的策略意義等議題仍然需要徹底調查。信函亦強調委員會需要處理中國持續侵犯人權的行為，例如鎮壓西藏、迫害維吾爾族、破壞香港自由，以及打壓法輪功學員。

請在此處閱覽聯署信。

香港監察加拿大政策顧問Katherine Leung表示：

「設立加中關係委員會旨在讓國會議員能夠運用專業知識和焦點，審議兩國關係及相關議題。暫停定期會議即失去焦點──委員會的工作遠未完成，要確保議員有充足機會深入而認真地研究這些議題，就必須有定期會議。」