Uyghur group withdraws from foreign interference inquiry, says victims won't be protected

A human rights group advocating for China’s Uyghur minority in Canada is pulling out of the foreign election interference inquiry, claiming the process could put victims at risk.

In a statement released Wednesday evening, the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project (URAP) said the continued participation of three men accused of being linked to the Chinese government “pose[s] a significant security risk” to diaspora communities.

The issue, which has been playing out for the past few weeks, centres on Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue’s decision to grant standing to former Ontario Liberal cabinet minister Michael Chan and Independent MP Han Dong. Standing means they can question witnesses and have advance access to evidence.

The human rights group also has expressed concerns about the fact that Independent Senator Yuen Pau Woo, who has been accused of taking pro-Beijing stances on various issues, has intervener status.