Mr. Speaker, today at noon, the Subcommittee on International Human Rights released a statement on the situation of the Uighur people and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, China. The statement was consensus-based. Members from all parties agreed to it.
We learned in two full days of deeply disturbing testimony that between one million and three million Uighur people are currently being held in concentration camps by the Government of China. This includes men, women and children, some as young as 13. We learned about inhumane and unspeakable treatments. Rape, torture, permanent sterilization and forced abortion are widespread. We learned that some products we use here in Canada are almost certainly tainted by forced labour.
Legal experts, including Irwin Cotler, said this amounts to crimes against humanity and genocide. Canada has a responsibility to protect. We must redouble our efforts in working with other countries to stop this unfolding genocide against the Uighur people.