Human organs.

Other examples of human rights abuses include "transplant tourism" in which human organs such as kidneys are sold to foreigners at goodly sums of money. The Epoch Times has revealed that many organs are "harvested" from executed prisoners, or from members of the banned Falun Gong movement. International exposure of the practice has resulted in the Chinese Health ministry setting up stricter transplant regulations, but whether this will result in more humane treatment of thousands of prisoners in detention camps is a moot point (National Post, Nov. 17, 2006).

One case with a direct connection to Canada concerns that of Ughur nationalist Huseyn Celil. A member of one of China's ethnic minorities and, as a Muslim, also of a religious minority, Mr. Celil fled China in the 1990s, having been sentenced to death in absentia for separatist political activities. He and his family settled in Hamilton, ON, and became Canadian citizens. He was arrested while on a visit to Uzbekistan in the spring of 2006 and handed over to the Chinese authorities. The latter have denied him access to the consular services to which, as a Canadian citizen, he has a right. So far, there has been no resolution in this case.

On November 21, 2006, the House of Commons Sub-committee on International Human Rights in Ottawa heard evidence supporting Stephen Harper's stance in insisting on discussing human rights with Chinese Premier Hu Jintao. Episodes of unjust arrests and physical violence were recounted. Canada is a big market for China's mass-produced goods. Contrarily, only 1.6% of Canadian exports end up in China. Canada should therefore have no compunction in addressing human rights issues with China's leaders (Epoch Times, Nov. 23, 2006).