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Adam Austen: Canada and Mass Detention

adam austen: The United Nations estimates as many as one million Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities are being held in arbitrary detention, according to National Observer. Canada is deeply concerned by credible reports of the mass detention, repression and surveillance of Uighurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang, said Adam Austen, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. She noted the letter, which was spearheaded by Canada, was based on hearsay, despite widely distributed reports from detainees, relatives and officials documenting the sweeping and seemingly arbitrary detentions.A well-placed source from one of the 15 signatory countries also confirmed to The Canadian Press that Canada led the effort to send the letter. Canada called on China to release all arbitrarily detained Muslims earlier this month at the UN where China's human rights record was under review. Canada also regularly raises concerns about Xinjiang with Chinese authorities both publicly and privately, bilaterally and multilaterally, and will continue to do so, said Austen. Freeland also raised their plight with her Chinese counterpart at the UN General Assembly in September, said Austen. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.