Subcommittee on International Human Rights Committee on April 20th, 2026

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Have you reported these incidents to the Canadian authorities? If so, what action, if any, has been taken around that?

[Sherap Therchin]

We have informed our contact person within Global Affairs, yes.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

How about the police or security agencies? Have you reported to them?

[Sherap Therchin]

We reported it in the sense that we received a few rounds of a safety workshop, so we did discuss those issues.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

But in terms of addressing these threats or the targeting of your websites, etc., has there, to your knowledge, been any response or have steps been taken by authorities to investigate this or to prevent it in the future?

[Sherap Therchin]

Not yet, no.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I understand that investigations oftentimes are not public, or you might not even be aware if that is the case, but to your knowledge, that isn't the case.

[Sherap Therchin]

The fact that an ongoing consultation workshop is being provided, I take it as a continued study and assessment of the threat that we received.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

I understand.

Zumretay, do you want to add anything to the question I had with respect to the evolution of foreign repression and interference?

[Zumretay Arkin]

Sure. Thank you.

I think there is a clear evolution, because even 20 years ago, transnational repression was exerted mostly on human rights defenders who were very vocal. However, in recent years, what we have observed is that this is now impacting the lives of normal Uyghurs around the world, those who are not even active politically or culturally. It's almost, in a way, to prevent them from participating in public life.

Even cultural circles have decreased. For example, we've seen in Germany, where I now reside, that with our cultural and political events, over the last two or three years, especially with the now visa-free entries to China, people no longer attend. If we have protests—we used to gather at least 200 people—it's now a miracle if we can get 30 people to join. Even in our cultural initiatives, like language schools and dance schools, the participants are no longer willing to take the risk. That's because the Chinese government has, in a way, become more sophisticated in its approach, and more subtle as well. There's a grey line.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

You said that you're in Germany. In Europe, are there unique, positive responses from European governments that we can learn from here in Canada?

[Zumretay Arkin]

Yes. There are some governments in Europe that are taking this quite seriously. For example, in Germany, there have been some initiatives, such as the creation of a TNR-focused desk. The foreign ministry and the interior ministry are working together to host a hotline for victims of transnational repression. This hotline is now open to victims. That's a great initiative. Of course, civil society organizations are there, and they're working closely with civil society organizations.

Last year, in Switzerland, for example, they worked on a first report specifically on transnational repression targeting Uyghur and Tibetan communities in Switzerland. This created a lot of awareness among different ministries. There were different consultations provided.

I actually just came from Belgium, where I met with the European External Action Service and the Belgian MFA. They're also taking this quite seriously. It's also being reiterated at the UN level.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Thank you, Mr. Zuberi.

I invite Mr. Brunelle‑Duceppe to take the floor for seven minutes.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you to all the witnesses joining us today for this important study.

Ms. Arkin, first of all, I must say that I am very pleased that you are here today. We know each other well.

We often hear members of the Uyghur diaspora say that they are subject to pressure, surveillance or threats towards their loved ones who remain in East Turkestan, meaning Xinjiang. You talked about that. You, yourself, are a prime example.

Now, you've just told us about certain countries that seem to be taking the issue of transnational repression very seriously.

In your opinion, are Canadian authorities taking this problem seriously enough?

[Zumretay Arkin]

I think Canadian authorities are taking the issue seriously; otherwise, we wouldn't be here. However, I believe that the mechanisms currently in place serve more to inform the public and the various authorities in the country.

Here in Parliament, members of Parliament do an extraordinary job of recognizing that this is not only a national security issue but also an issue that affects the daily lives of activists and defenders of human rights like our organization. No concrete measures have been taken, however. We're talking about it more and more in committees like this one, in meetings and elsewhere in Parliament, but it's still very basic.

We really need to take action, facilitate the transfer of information and, for example, open hotlines for victims. When victims call the police, for example, the police have to know how to respond to such threats, which are very serious. In fact, we experience those constant threats in our daily lives, which have huge consequences, both personally and professionally. It's good to have workshops, but we need to do more.

Moreover, Canada needs to work with its international partners, multilaterally, including at the United Nations, in Geneva and in New York, to really take action.

The measures proposed in Bill C‑219 are very specific, and I think they would help us a great deal in combatting transnational repression.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Indeed, there is a lot of talk and a lot of good will, but we might see it less on the ground, as you said.

One of your recommendations is to provide more training for police forces, but I suspect you also mean training for legal authorities.

Has that been done elsewhere? If not, how do you think this recommendation could be implemented?

[Zumretay Arkin]

Legally, it takes a very long time. In Canada, for example, the specific acts are included in the Criminal Code. However, when it comes to surveillance of our family members in China or East Turkestan, it's still very unclear. It is also difficult for authorities in countries to make laws in that regard.

There is nonetheless a real desire to define transnational repression. I think we can start with that. In Germany, a lot of effort has gone into this, particularly by the Department of Foreign Affairs, but also by other departments concerned.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

We are seeing some rapprochement currently between theCarney government and the Chinese authorities. It's not that we're opposed to warming of diplomatic relations, but you have to understand what that entails. Often, the very nature of diplomatic relations is to be able to address difficult, delicate or sensitive matters.

The Bloc Québécois has also introduced Bill C‑251 pertaining to forced labour. Don't you think that, if we pass this bill, it would also send a message to the Chinese authorities that Canada is serious? We could also move forward with motion M‑62, moved by my friend Mr. Zuberi. If we sent a more serious message about transnational repression, I think that would help Canada as regards China.

[Zumretay Arkin]

Absolutely. I think the Bill C‑251 would help us. That would be a very concrete step.

Recently, we have seen members of the House of Commons downplaying flagrant human rights violations, including the forced labour of Uyghurs, which is happening not only in the Uyghur region, but throughout China.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

We're talking about Michael Ma, aren't we?

[Zumretay Arkin]

That's right.

Whether in Shenzhen or elsewhere, it is indeed a system of forced labour that is systematic and imposed by the state. So it's not set up by Chinese companies, but very much by the state. So this bill would be a concrete step.

There's also motion M‑62, of course, which was one of the most successful measures. Mr. Zuberi, who is here, and other members did a lot of work on this, and we're already seeing the results. Nonetheless, the Uyghurs who arrived under the program mentioned in the motion are still in danger. They get phone calls and face constant harassment. So the work is not done. We must continue, and we need help from the Canadian authorities.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

I would like to use my remaining 40 seconds to talk about the agreement that was reached to allow Chinese electric cars to enter the country.

If Bill C‑251 were enacted to combat forced labour, would those vehicles be allowed to enter Canada?

[Zumretay Arkin]

That's a very good question. I don't know, but I think that, under that bill, the burden of proof would be on the importer. So that would help us block those products. As we've seen in the United States, when the burden of proof is reversed, it helps block those products that keep entering the market. The European Union is also being encouraged to do the same. It's difficult, but it would be a good start.

[Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Bloc, Lac-Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Fayçal El-Khoury]

Thank you.

I now invite Ms. Vandenbeld to take the floor for five minutes.