Leaders concerned about rights situation in HK, Xinjiang

China has been rebuked globally for cracking down on Uyghur Muslims by sending them to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and sending members of the community to undergo some form of forcible re-education or indoctrination.

Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday expressed concern over the human rights situation in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, the Canadian Prime Minister's office said on Thursday.

"The leaders discussed relations with China, with Prime Minister Trudeau expressing concern about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and recent arrests in Hong Kong," a readout stated.

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Last week, Canada joined other Five Eyes intelligence-sharing allies -- the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom -- in expressing concern about the recent arrest of dissidents in Hong Kong.