Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued the following statement on the Conservative Opposition Day motion calling on the Trudeau government to recognize the Uyghur genocide:

“Around the world, we have solemnly uttered the phrase ‘never again,’ but it falls flat without action.
 
“Never again demands action before more atrocities are committed. We cannot say never again and turn a blind eye to government coordinated rape, torture, indoctrination, and forced sterilization.
 
“We cannot remain silent. Silence only helps those who commit crimes against humanity, never the victims.
 
“Today, Canada’s Conservatives are calling on the Parliament of Canada to recognize that genocide is currently being carried out by the People’s Republic of China against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims.
 
“We are calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to officially adopt this position. We are calling for an end to silence.
 
“Canada may be a small country in terms of population, but we are a towering giant when it comes to our commitment to human rights. And right now, over a million people half a world away need us to use that voice.”

The Conservative Opposition Day motion can be found here.
 

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For more information:

Chelsea Tucker
chelsea.tucker@parl.gc.ca
(613) 219-3790

Axel Rioux
axel.rioux@parl.gc.ca
(613) 291-7125