Rights Group urges Ottawa to sanction Hong Kong officials over “oppressive policies”

In an open letter dated February 24, the Vancouver Association, which supports the Democratic Movement (VSSDM), called for sanctions under the Magnitsky Act on six Hong Kong officials for their role in “enforcing local oppressive policies, weakening judicial independence and promoting persecution of condemnation activists.”

This comes after Hong Kong police issued bounties for six democratic activists who left the city amidst strict control of Beijing last December. Two Canadians are on the wanted list. Veteran journalist Victor Haw and founder of the advocacy platform Hong Kong Station and current contestant for the federal Conservative nomination at Markham Unionville’s Ontario Riding.

In 2023, Hong Kong police also issued a warrant and a bounty for former Hong Kong politician Dennis Kwok, born in Canada, along with seven other democratic activists who fled the city after Congress introduced national security laws. Laws are widely viewed as erosion of urban democracy and restraints of fundamental rights.

In response to the Hong Kong Police’s December prize money on Canadians, Global Affairs Canada has issued a statement denounced and called for the move to abolish the “National Security Act imposed by Beijing.” “This attempt by Hong Kong authorities to carry out cross-border oppression overseas, including threats, threats against Canadians or Canadians, is unacceptable,” the department said.

The Hong Kong officials appointed by the VSSDM as the perpetrators of these oppressive behaviors are:

Attorney General Paul Ram Tin Kwok has signed an order mandating the trial of 47 democratic activists without a ju-search.

Security secretary Chris Pin Keene evoked the controversial “protection of national security ordinances” and imposed special measures against former democratic lawmakers and activists, including travel bans, assets freezing and passport cancellations.

Police Commissioner Raymond Shu Chak Yi offered Hong Kong police a million HK (approximately $185,000) prize money to capture overseas activists and pursued political opponents who were banished using national security laws.

Police deputy commissioner Andrew Kang Kai Yang has approved the freeze on bank accounts belonging to six activists and issued a public warning against financial support.

Steve Li Kwai-wah, the Secretary of National Security, accusing six hopefuls of engaging in activities that put national security at risk, said vSSDM “will curb the misuse of the NSL from opposition overseas.”

Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee Kachiu has been called to protect the national security ordinance in 2024 under Article 23 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law, and to promote voluntary liberty erosion and oppose members of the Attorney General, who served as the Attorney General’s Attorney General through the Attorney General’s Judicial Attorney General, according to vssd. 2019 Yuen Long Attack Case. In the attack, mobs stormed Yuen’s long railway station and assaulted democratic protesters. The lawsuit states that democratic accused were disproportionately punished, but those in line with the pro-group received light sentences, saying vSSDM undermines “judicial independence and public trust in the rule of law.”

Under Magnitsky Act, Canada can impose targeted sanctions on foreign authorities found to be complicit in important human rights abuses and corruption, including property freezes and travel bans. vSSDM also urged Ottawa to work with international allies to take responsibility for these individuals and strengthen the global call for justice.

“The actions of these officials constitute a direct attack on the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Canada has a critically responding moral and legal obligation. By imposing these sanctions, we send a strong message to the world that Canada stands firmly in human rights violations and authoritarian overreach,” the group said.