China Imposes Countermeasures Against Canadian Institutions and Individuals Over Human Rights Issues

China has taken retaliatory actions against two Canadian institutions and 20 individuals in response to their involvement in human rights issues related to the Uyghurs and Tibet. These countermeasures, which were implemented on Saturday, include asset freezes and bans on entry to China, including Hong Kong and Macau.

The institutions targeted are the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Canada-Tibet Committee, both of which have been vocal in their criticism of China's policies in Xinjiang and Tibet. The individuals affected are linked to these organizations, with 15 individuals from the Uyghur rights group and five from the Tibet committee facing asset freezes and travel bans.

China has been facing international condemnation over its treatment of the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group in the western region of Xinjiang. Human rights organizations accuse China of widespread abuses, including forced labor in camps, a claim that Beijing has denied. In Tibet, China has faced ongoing criticism for its control since 1950, which it describes as a "peaceful liberation," while international rights groups and exiled Tibetans call it an oppressive occupation.

The countermeasures reflect China's ongoing tension with Canada and its response to external criticism over its human rights practices. The Canadian embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and there was no immediate response from rights groups or Global Affairs Canada.