Canada – Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, March 26, 2025
Today marks 19 years since Canadian citizen and Uyghur human rights activist Huseyin Celil was unjustly extradited to the People’s Republic of China. Mr. Celil arrived in Canada in 2001 with his wife, Kamila Telendibeava and child after fleeing China. In November 2005, Huseyin received Canadian citizenship. The following year, Huseyin and his family travelled to Uzbekistan in March. Chinese law enforcement became aware of Mr. Celil’s visit to Uzbekistan and informed the authorities to kidnap and arrest him. Three months later, he was extradited to China, where he was charged with separatism and terrorism-related activities, with a conviction of separatism in 2006.
Despite ongoing calls for his release, Mr. Celil remains imprisoned, facing severe human rights violations. The Canadian government must take immediate and decisive action to bring him home and fulfill its duty to protect Canadian citizens abroad. After a deeply flawed trial lacking due process, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. The Chinese government has refused to recognize Mr. Celil’s Canadian citizenship, denying him consular access in clear violation of international legal norms.
