Abuse of indigenous children in Canada horrific: Chinese envoy

Video: Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, says on June 28, 2021 that the recently exposed abuse of indigenous children in Canada at boarding schools that led to the loss of over 4,000 lives "is shocking and horrific." (Xinhua)

"We cannot let this dark page stay in history books only. We urge the Government of Canada to earnestly fulfill its responsibility to let the world know the truth, and to give justice to the victims, so as to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies," says Zhang Jun.

UNITED NATIONS, June 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Monday that the recently exposed abuse of indigenous children in Canada at boarding schools that led to the loss of over 4,000 lives "is shocking and horrific."

Members of the Cowessess First Nation do a ceremonial smudge at the site of unmarked graves near a former indigenous residential school in Saskatchewan, Canada, on June 27, 2021. (Photo by Amru Salahuddien/Xinhua)

Addressing the UN Security Council open debate on children and armed conflict, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said that "the protection of children is the responsibility of all states and governments, and should be the top priority under any circumstances."

"There is still a long way to go in this respect," the ambassador said.

"We cannot let this dark page stay in history books only. We urge the Government of Canada to earnestly fulfill its responsibility to let the world know the truth, and to give justice to the victims, so as to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies," said Zhang.