Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to be able to present a petition drawing the attention of the House to the horrific human rights situation of Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims in China.
Recent reports have indicated a situation of Uighur activists who were in Saudi Arabia being detained and potentially sent back, which raises serious questions about the ability of even Uighurs abroad to be able to practise their faith freely, including the obligation to do a pilgrimage.
Petitioners are calling on the House to take strong action with respect to the human rights situation of Uighurs, including the recognition of what Uighurs are facing as a genocide, and also the imposition of Magnitsky sanctions against government officials who are involved in these abuses of human rights, Magnitsky sanctions which thus far have not been used against any officials in the PRC.
I commend this important issue to the House for consideration.