A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that Canada should face up to its own human rights problems and not wantonly criticize other countries in this regard.
Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to an Inuit member of the Parliament of Canada saying the country was "built on the oppression of indigenous peoples" and its "history is stained with blood."
MP for Nunavut Mumilaaq Qaqqaq on June 15 said in her farewell address that she had heard "so many pretty words like 'reconciliation,' 'diversity' and 'inclusion'" on indigenous issues but failed to see actions.
"Indigenous lives matter," Zhao said. "The Canadian side must reflect upon such inhumane acts which cannot be glossed over with mere apologies or pretty words."
Noting that Canada has claimed to be a model of human rights and an open advocate of the cause, Zhao said the country is reticent and blind to its own crimes and stains in human rights that can never be washed away or justified. "Such hypocrisy and double-standard is disgraceful."
"Canada should stop deceiving itself and others, take a hard look at its grave human rights issues, and address them with the responsibility it bears to history and the world," he added.
