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By some estimates, China has confined two million members of its Uyghur minority in camps where language and religion are systematically suppressed, prompting fears of a vast cultural genocide.

Beijing has also detained a Canadian diplomat and businessman in harsh conditions, and locked up numerous local dissidents in the same type of “black jail.”

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That seems like exactly the kind of behaviour contemplated by Canada’s version of the Magnitsky Act, a much-heralded law that imposes sanctions on corrupt and rights-abusing foreign officials.

Yet not a single Chinese official has been listed under the legislation since it was implemented 18 months ago.

Some experts say it’s time for that to change, despite the already toxic relationship between the two countries. They’re urging the government to look at adding People’s Republic functionaries to those of five other nations already targeted by the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.