We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are united in expressing our grave concerns at the Chinese authorities’ decision fundamentally to erode democratic elements of the electoral system in Hong Kong. Such a decision strongly indicates that the authorities in mainland China are determined to eliminate dissenting voices and opinions in Hong Kong.
10 years after the protests in Syria and their subsequent violent repression, gross human rights violations persist to this day. Syrians have been tortured, murdered, forcibly disappeared, and subjected to chemical weapon attacks.
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, today issued the following statement:“Two years ago, on March 10, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, claiming the lives of 157 people, including 18 Canadians and many others with ties to Canada.
Canada is proud to be a partner in the Commonwealth of Nations, and we believe the Commonwealth can be a force for good in the world. Together with the other 53 states that make up this community, we work to advance democracy, human rights, good governance, the rule of law, diversity and inclusion to the benefit of every person who calls a Commonwealth country home.
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the human rights of all women and their full, equal and meaningful participation in economic, political, social and cultural life, at home and abroad.
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “Canada strongly supports the decision made by the United States and the European Union on the adoption of sanctions against Russian officials responsible for the arbitrary detention, prosecution and attempted assassination of Alexey Navalny using a chemical weapon. It is important to note that two of the four individuals targeted by the European Union have already been sanctioned by Canada.
“Canada is deeply concerned by and unequivocally condemns the Myanmar military’s recent use of force against peaceful protesters, and demands that the Tatmadaw immediately stop using violence against its own people.”
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “As we mark Ukraine’s Day of Resistance to the Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Canada reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea. We remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we stand with the people of Ukraine who continue to fight tirelessly for their fundamental rights and freedoms.
“We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union firmly condemn violence committed by Myanmar’s security forces against peaceful protests. We offer condolences for the loss of life. The military and the police must exercise utmost restraint and respect human rights and international law. Use of live ammunition against unarmed people is unacceptable. Anyone responding to peaceful protests with violence must be held to account.”
We remain deeply disturbed by horrific reports of human rights violations in Xinjiang, including the use of arbitrary detention, political re-education, forced labour, torture and forced sterilization. The free vote in Parliament ensures each member can make a determination based on available evidence. Taken together, these views will form Parliament’s view. We welcome parliamentarians working together and debating this critical issue.
