URAP Bi-weekly Newsletter November 14-25
News:
· Canada’s major French-speaking media channel Radio-Canada quoted MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe on the IUF: "D'après Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, qui rentre tout juste d'un forum sur le sort des Ouïgours tenu en Belgique, ces derniers attendent vraiment d'avoir un appui formel du gouvernement du Canada."
· Federal MPs addressed the Uyghur-Canadian diaspora with congratulatory messages on November 12, commemorating Uyghur National Day.
· The Toronto Sun reported on PM Trudeau, “[he] is afraid to use a word to describe China’s actions while so glibly using it to describe Canada’s actions tells the whole country all we need to know about the PM and his character, or lack thereof."
· The Hill Times reported on parliamentarians’ push to recognize the Uyghur genocide.
· URAP’s Policy Advisor Margaret McCuaig-Johnston was interview by Conversation on how to tackle Chinese state interference in Canada.
Organization activities:
· URAP received by the Bloc Quebecois Party Chief
On November 15, URAP’s Executive Director Mehmet Tohti and Project Coordinator Kayum Masimov were received by Bloc Quebecois Party Chief Hon. Yves-Francois Blanchet. URAP presented memorabilia featuring a copy of the East Turkistan Passport issued in 1933 in Uyghur and French languages. A press conference followed the reception. The French annoncement states: « Sur la colline du Parlement, le chef du Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet, s’entretient avec les journalistes à propos de la situation des Ouïghours. »
· Global Affairs Canada meeting
On November 22, URAP met with representatives from Global Affairs Canada to discuss a number of items for further collaboration, including strategies on how to expand Canadian aid and assistance to the Uyghur diaspora in Central Asia.
· Parliamentary Uyghur Friendship Group event on the Hill
On November 24, the Parliamentary Uyghur Friendship Group organized a panel discussion with Benedict Rogers, author of The China Nexus, together with prominent Uyghur-American lawyer and head of the Religious Freedom Committee, Nury Turkel. Mehmet Tohti and Hon. Ali Ehsassi, chair of FAAE (Foreign Affairs and International Development) committee also took part. The book presentation was followed by lively conversation on the Uyghur genocide and Canada-China politics.
· Academia outreach
On November 17, Mehmet Tohti and Sophie Richardson from Human Rights Watch held an online seminar with the University of Toronto’s Policython, where both shared their perspectives on the ongoing Uyghur genocide with political science students.
· Bill S-211 On Forced Labour and URAP’s advocacy
URAP continued its engagement in strengthening the proposed bill S-211 addressed to tackle the issue of the Uyghur forced labour. URAP wrote a memorandum and followed up with MPs within FAAE ahead of their discussions on S-211 to propose amendments and educate them on the shortcomings of the bill and others tabled in parliament. Although S-211 went on to pass without amendment, we are continuing to work with like-minded organizations to address next steps and propose legislation that effectively meets our criteria.
Upcoming events:
· December 7-9: Mehmet Tohti will be travelling to Washington, DC to attend the Uyghur Academia Summit and visit officials in the US Capital.
· December 14: The second hour of parliamentary debate on motion M-62 on Uyghur refugee resettlement will be taking place in Ottawa. Details on debate attendance and reception will be available shortly.
· December 15: URAP is assisting in organizing a bearpit conversation with former Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole at McGill University. If you are a McGill student and wish to join, please email miri@urap.ca.