cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/8533219
Sherap Therchin, the Executive Director of the Canada Tibet Committee (CTC), delivered a stark and personal testimony before Canada’s Subcommittee on International Human Rights, warning of the expanding reach of China’s transnational repression and its direct impact.
Appearing before the parliamentary body under the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (16:01:47 to 16:07:27), Sherap spoke during a hybrid session held in accordance with parliamentary procedure, alongside fellow witnesses including Maria Cheung, Grace Wollensak, Zaha Hassan, Marcos Kolga, Peter Mattis, and Zumretay Arkin.
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The Tibetan activist revealed that he is among 20 Canadians sanctioned by the Chinese government on December 21, 2024—an action he described as both symbolic and deeply consequential. While calling the sanctions “a badge of honour” reflecting his commitment to human rights, he emphasized that they have brought “real and lasting consequences.” Branded by Chinese authorities as a threat to national security and sovereignty, he said, those targeted have become subjects of sustained harassment and intimidation.
He detailed the increasingly hostile environment he has faced since the sanctions were imposed. He reported frequent phishing attacks, malware infections targeting the CTC’s website, and a steady stream of threatening online messages from anonymous sources.
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“These are not abstract concerns,” he told the committee, stressing that such pressures affect every aspect of life—from communication and work to personal safety and mental well-being.
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Placing his experience within a wider context, he warned that his case is emblematic of a broader pattern of behavior by the People’s Republic of China. He cited findings from Canada’s Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, which identified China as the most active state actor targeting the country’s democratic institutions.He also referenced Canada’s 2026 National Cyber Threat Assessment, which describes China as the most sophisticated and persistent cyber threat facing the country, engaging in espionage, intellectual property theft, and malign influence operations.
“This is not simply about disagreement with criticism,” he said. “It is about a state with a documented record of foreign interference, cyber aggression, transnational repression, and intimidation.”
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He pointed to high-profile cases that illustrate the risks faced by Canadian nationals, including the detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in China for nearly three years. He also referenced the 2014 detention of Kevin and Julia Garratt, as well as the long-term imprisonment of Huseyin Celil, a Canadian citizen of Uyghur origin held since 2006.
Concluding his testimony, Sherap delivered a stark warning: China’s repression is no longer confined within its borders. “It has gone transnational,” he said. “The threat is already here in Canada.”
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