Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Jan 2: President Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has strongly denounced China’s recent sanctions on the Canada Tibet Committee (CTC), labelling them an “alarming escalation of its transnational repression” of Beijing’s efforts to suppress Tibetan advocacy efforts abroad.
“China’s sanctions against the CTC constitute a blatant and alarming escalation of its transnational repression, targeting Tibetan voices in free societies,” President Tsering stated in a post on X on Tuesday. “Such coercive measures against a Tibetan advocacy group exemplify a broader and more aggressive pattern of intimidation aimed at threatening fundamental freedoms and democratic principles beyond its borders.”
President Tsering reiterated the Dalai Lama’s long-held stance on the universal importance of standing with Tibet. “As His Holiness the Dalai Lama has consistently asserted, standing with Tibet is standing up for universal values of justice and freedom. May these sanctions serve only to strengthen the CTC’s resolve to persist in their vital work defending human rights and truth,” he posted.
The Chinese government announced the sanctions on December 22, targeting two Canadian organisations, the Canada Tibet Committee and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP), along with 20 individuals involved in Tibet and East Turkestan (referred to as Xinjiang by China) advocacy efforts. The sanctions, which took effect on December 21, freeze the targeted individuals’ and organisations’ assets within China and bar them from entering Chinese territories, including Hong Kong and Macao.
Canada’s foreign ministry issued a statement on December 24, expressing solidarity with the sanctioned organisations and individuals. “Global Affairs Canada expresses solidarity with the members of the Canadian Tibet Committee and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and condemns the decision by the Chinese government to punish them for speaking out for human rights.”
The statement reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to defending freedom of expression and human rights, stating, “The Government of Canada will not tolerate any threats, acts of violence, or harassment against people in Canada, or against their families and friends, because of their political opinions or to silence dissenting viewpoints.”
The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile also issued a press statement condemning China’s actions and standing in solidarity with the sanctioned organizations. “The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has recently imposed sanctions on the Canada Tibet Committee, the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, and 20 human rights advocates,” the statement read. “The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile stands in solidarity with the members of the Canada Tibet Committee and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, applauding their courage in speaking out against the atrocities and severe human rights violations committed by China.”
China’s sanctions come amid heightened scrutiny of its human rights record, particularly concerning Tibet and East Turkestan. Experts say that advocacy groups like the CTC and URAP have long campaigned against Beijing’s policies in Tibet and East Turkestan (CH. Xinjiang).
