Conservative leader Erin O’Toole says the 2022 Beijing Olympics should be moved out of China as the world begins to learn about regime’s genocide against its Uyghur minority.
“It is time for Canada to ask the International Olympic Committee to move the 2022 Olympic games out of China. Canada has the right and duty to act,” O’Toole said Tuesday.
“The Olympic games and the athletes who compete in them inspire each generation, and they must continue to inspire to provide such inspiration, but not in China in the shadow of a genocide.”
Evidence is mounting that China is committing acts of genocide against its Muslim Uyghur community. Around 10% of the Uyghurs community are in internment camps and survivors recall stories of systemic abuse and violence.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the word genocide is “extremely loaded” and that the government will need to further examine the evidence before making a determination on Canada’s position.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau recently refused to call China’s treatment of Uyghurs a genocide, adding that he does not have a position on Canada’s participation in the 2022 Olympics.
O’Toole says Canada should coordinate with its allies to pressure China and encourage the International Olympic Committee to move the games.
“Genocide is taking place in China right now. Approximately one million Ughurs have been forcibly relocated in detention centres for ‘reeducation’ in Xinjiang,” he said.
“People who have managed to escape have reported horiffic, coordinated violence using physical, mental and sexual torture. Woman have spoken of mass-rape and sexual abuse. Women have been subjected to forced sterilization.”
Canadian politicians from all major parties have said the 2022 Beijing Olympics should be moved or boycotted. On Monday, U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (R-Florida) introduced a resolution urging the U.S. to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing if it is not moved.
Earlier in February, Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive officer David Shoemaker announced that Canada will not boycott the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
