Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project Calls on Canada to Provide Immediate Protection to Mr. Heng Guan
Ottawa, ON - The Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project expresses its profound concern regarding the imminent risk of dismissal and eventual deportation faced by Mr. Guan Heng, a Chinese dissident who has filmed and documented mass detention facilities in the Uyghur Region, which have been widely cited by international human rights organizations, researchers, and media outlets at a time when China has launched its attack of complete denial their existence. On October 5, 2021, he visited dozens of locations cited by international media as concentration camps, identified and filmed these camps one by one in various parts of East Turkistan. Eventually, he released his documentary to which was published by the public through his YouTube channel and immediately caused a huge international stir.
As a rare, first-person, on-the-ground video produced by a Chinese citizen, the footage was quickly reported on and cited by major media outlets, including Deutsche Welle and Radio Free Asia, at a time when China has claimed total control over the existence of any concentration camps. Most significantly, it provided crucial on-the-ground evidence for BuzzFeed News’ investigative team, whose reporting on the Uyghur Region later received the Pulitzer Prize.
Mr. Heng is currently subject to a critical immigration proceeding. Publicly available reporting and human rights documentation indicate that his forced return to the People’s Republic of China would expose him to a serious and credible risk of arbitrary detention, persecution, and torture due to his role in exposing state-sanctioned abuses.
URAP recalls that the principle of non-refoulement, as outlined in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, both of which Canada is a party to, prohibits the return, expulsion, or extradition of any individual to a State where there are substantial grounds for believing they would face a real risk of persecution, torture, or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Urgent Appeal to the Government of Canada
If the forthcoming hearing, on December 15th, 2025, results in an order permitting or mandating Mr. Heng’s deportation, URAP urgently calls upon the Government of Canada to take immediate protective action and to offer Mr. Heng haven in Canada.
URAP specifically notes that Canada already maintains an established and appropriate mechanism for such cases through its Human Rights Defenders at Risk initiative, administered by Global Affairs Canada. Mr. Guan’s actions, documenting and exposing grave human rights violations at significant personal risk, align with the purpose and criteria of this program.
Accordingly, URAP urges the Government of Canada to:
1. Extend immediate humanitarian protection and haven to Mr. Heng Guan through the Human Rights Defenders at Risk pathway or other appropriate mechanisms.
2. Initiate and expedite a refugee protection or asylum process under Canadian law.
3. Engage diplomatically and administratively to prevent his forcible return to China.
4. Publicly reaffirm Canada’s commitment to the protection of human rights defenders, whistleblowers, and witnesses to international human rights violations.
Canada has long been recognized as a global leader in refugee protection and human rights. Protecting Mr. Heng Guan would align with Canada’s legal obligations, humanitarian traditions, and established policy frameworks.
URAP respectfully urges the Government of Canada to act immediately to prevent irreversible harm, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding those at risk and to defending human rights by protecting individuals who courageously expose injustice.
Media Contact
Mehmet Tohti
Executive Director
Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project
secure@urap.ca
(613)261-8512