The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:
"Today, Canada marks the 35th anniversary of the violent crackdown in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, against unarmed and peaceful citizens, many of whom were students.
"Thirty-five years have passed but many of the victims' families still do not know the truth of what happened that day.
"The Constitution of the People's Republic of China says that Chinese citizens enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession, of demonstration, and of religion or belief. Motivated by love of their country, the protestors of 1989 believed passionately in these principles.
"The spirit of those lost in 1989 lives on, in the voices of those calling for accountability and human rights today.
"Canada calls on China to uphold its human rights obligations under international law and we will continue to speak for those who cannot speak freely and stand with those who stand for human dignity."
