Trade and International Affairs

Canada’s unions strongly condemn the prosecution of trade union leaders and pro‑democracy activists in Hong Kong. On April 16, Lee Cheuk Yan, General Secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, was sentenced to 18 months in jail for participating in a pro-democracy protest organized by trade unions nearly two years ago. Four other democracy defenders also received prison…

Canadian unions welcome the overturning of criminal convictions against former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “At last, there is justice for Lula, Brazilian workers and people who have ceaselessly defended his innocence,” says Hassan Yussuff, President of the Canadian Labour Congress, which supported the global Free Lula campaign. On Thursday, the Supreme Court of Brazil confirmed lower court…

Canada’s unions applaud Parliament’s recognition that the Chinese government is committing genocide against its Muslim minority and is now calling on Ottawa to act accordingly. The Government of Canada should now move to officially recognize the genocide and implement the recommendations of the Subcommittee of International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR). Witnesses…