Human Rights Watch Calls on Canadian Prime Minister to Prioritize Rights in China Visit
(Ottawa) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney should make human rights a key focus of his visit to China from January 13 to 17, 2026, Human Rights Watch said today. Carney’s trip marks the first by a Canadian prime minister in over eight years, occurring after a period of strained Canada-China relations stemming from the unlawful detention of two Canadians as hostages between 2018 and 2021.
Maya Wang, deputy Asia director at human Rights Watch, stated that Carney should recognize the Chinese government’s deepening repression as a threat to Canada’s interests and values, ensuring engagement aligns with the promotion of human rights.
Key issues to be raised include the connection between Chinese government forced labor and Canadian imports, the persecution of human rights defenders, and China’s targeting of critics abroad, including within Canada. Concerns should also be raised regarding Chinese-produced drones being used in attacks on civilians in Ukraine.
The official statement announcing the visit focuses on economic resilience and diversification, with no mention of human rights.
Human Rights Watch emphasizes that Chinese rights violations directly impact Canadian national interests. Canadian law prohibits importing products made with forced labor, and there is evidence of such products – including cotton, automotive parts, solar components, and critical minerals – entering Canada from Xinjiang, where crimes against humanity are reportedly occurring against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities. Carney should urge China to end repression in Xinjiang and fully comply with international labor rights conventions.
Beyond Xinjiang, China prohibits independent labor unions, detains labor activists, suppresses protests, and has closed labor monitoring organizations in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, where approximately 300,000 Canadians reside, freedoms have been significantly curtailed, and figures like Jimmy Lai face lengthy prison sentences under national security laws. Carney should advocate for Lai’s release.
China is also increasingly engaging in transnational repression, harassing critics abroad, including a Canadian political candidate during a recent election. Carney should address this issue directly with President Xi.
Furthermore, Human Rights Watch documented Russia’s use of Chinese-made drones to attack civilians in Ukraine, urging Carney to press China to prevent sales to sanctioned entities and cooperate with investigations.
“The Chinese government’s abuses fall hard on the people of China, but they also affect people around the world,” Wang said. “During his visit, Prime Minister Carney shouldn’t squander his opportunity to use diplomatic channels to raise human rights concerns.”
