Evidence of meeting #4 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was china.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:40 p.m.
Uighur Rights Activist, As an Individual
It's hard. It is very difficult. It is hard, you know. It is hard to get education. For education and after-school programs, I was running everywhere. It's a very big challenge.
5:40 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I have two children of my own, so I can imagine what four boys must be like, just feeding them alone.
5:40 p.m.
Uighur Rights Activist, As an Individual
Especially in this pandemic. Right now we are.... Yes, that's been tough.
5:40 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
I appreciate what you say about working together and having all parties in the House work together. I want to commit that certainly that's something I feel I will bring forward.
For all of the panellists, one last question I can bring forward is in terms of our supporting the Uighur community: Who have been the most effective allies in the fight to end these human rights abuses? Whose voices are best to be amplified right now? What else can we do for you at this time?
I'll open that up to all of you, to the rest of this panel, just to wrap up.
5:40 p.m.
Uighur Rights Activist, As an Individual
There are a lot of Uighur people working on human rights right now for the concentration camps. There are multiple people working on human rights.
My suggestion is that the Canadian people need to be aware of this case, be aware that he's a Canadian citizen. All Canadian people need to be aware and put pressure on the Canadian government, and then work together.
The parties also need to work together on this case. They should not push from only one party. The Liberals, the Conservatives and the NDP have to work together, and then connect with Amnesty International. With human rights, we are all together.
We are sending letters. As much as we can, we are sending letters from high schools. We did a lot of presentations in high schools and in the communities. At least we are sending them. We don't get anything back from the Chinese authorities, but the Canadian government sends us word that they are still working on this case, that they didn't forget about it. What's most important is that the Canadian people need to be aware.
5:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Peter Fonseca
Thank you.
That concludes our fourth panel of witnesses.
On behalf of all the committee members, all the staff here—the interpreters and the technicians—and those watching online, I want to thank the witnesses for their compelling testimony, which has gone on record. I think we've all been truly moved by your testimony. Thank you for your courage, and thank you for sharing your very personal stories with us here today.
Tomorrow we will have our second day of panels. They will start at 11 a.m. and go throughout the day, for those who are viewing online and want to see those proceedings.
At this time we are going to move in camera. I believe I have consensus from all members to do so.
[Proceedings continue in camera]