China imposes retaliation sanctions on Canadian human rights groups

James Joseph | Queen's University Belfast School of Law, GB

DECEMBER 22, 2024 

China announced countermeasures against two Canadian organizations and 20 affiliated individuals on Saturday. This decision, published in a statement on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, is rooted in what China perceives as unwarranted foreign interference in its internal affairs, particularly relating to human rights advocacy regarding China’s human rights record regarding Uyghurs and Tibetans.

The targets of these new sanctions are the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP) and the Canada Tibet Committee. Among those affected are key figures from URAP, including executive director Mehmet Tohti, Policy and advocacy director Jasmine Kainth, and several legal advisors such as David Matas and Sarah Teich.

China’s decision comes on the heels of Canada’s own sanctions enacted under the Special Economic Measures Act on December 9, 2024, targeting Chinese officials for alleged human rights violations.

In response to China’s actions, Mehmet Tohti stated, “We accept the sanctions as a badge of honour. They do not deter us but rather strengthen our determination. This confirms that we are on the right path.” Tohti emphasized URAP’s continued dedication to its advocacy mission, aiming to keep international focus on the situation in China. Meanwhile, the Canada Tibet Committee said, “This move actually strengthens our resolve to keep on this path and continue to advocate for policies that bring about a just and equitable solution to the harsh occupation and repression now ongoing in Tibet.” 

China can impose retaliatory measures on individuals, organizations, or countries that implement sanctions against Chinese entities, such as has been done previously to the USA, under articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 15 of its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law.

Sarah Teich, co-founder and president of Human Rights Action Group and Legal Advisor to the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project spoke with JURIST, commenting:

It is a classic move from the authoritarian playbook to sanction nonprofit organizations in response to Canada placing sanctions on gross human rights violators. There is, obviously, no equivalence and no justification for these countermeasures imposed by the PRC regime, and the consequences on those with family members in the PRC may be severe and should be condemned by the Canadian government at every opportunity and in the strongest possible terms.

These sanctions do not deter us from our work — if anything, these sanctions will spur us forward as they indicate that our work is having impact.