Canada says it is reviewing an application to sanction companies and potentially seize their assets for alleged human rights abuses.
Canada is reviewing an application to sanction four Chinese surveillance equipment companies, including the world’s largest equipment manufacturer, for their alleged role in human rights abuses in Xinjiang, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Global Affairs Canada said it is conducting a review after advocacy groups called for sanctions targeting the four companies: Zhejiang Dahua Technology, Tiandy Technologies, Zhejiang Uniview Technologies and Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, the world’s largest surveillance equipment company with annual revenue of about $ 12.54 billion.
The four companies are accused of involvement in Chinese repression in Xinjiang, home to the Uyghur people and other minority groups, according to the application filed by Washington-based C4ADS, as well as two Canadian groups, the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Human Rights Action Group. The application to Global Affairs Canada and the Privy Council Office, which advises the Prime Minister, was filed in May.