Canadian Government responds to lawmakers’ call for “swift and emphatic action” to secure the release of pro-democracy activist Denise Ho and other activists arrested in Hong Kong

Today, a cross-party group of Canadian lawmakers called on the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau MP, to undertake “swift and emphatic” action to ensure the release of pro-democracy activist and Canadian citizen Denise Ho.

On 29 December 2021, the Hong Kong Police arrested Denise Ho, alongside several journalists from StandNews, and the pro-democracy activist and Barrister Margaret Ng, under the Crime Ordinance for “conspiracy to produce seditious publications”.

A prominent singer and Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, Denise Ho grew up in Montreal and holds Canadian citizenship. In August 2020, the Hong Kong Arts Council cancelled her concerts citing pressure from pro-Beijing media which accused her of “colluding with foreign powers”.

Commenting on her arrest, Hong Kong Watch patron and Shadow Minister, Garnett Genius MP, said:

“The arbitrary detention of our citizens has not stopped. This arrest requires a swift and emphatic response.”

The Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Michael Chong MP, said:

“Canadian Denise Ho was arrested in Hong Kong for supporting an independent, free press. Her arrest, among 6, violates the 1984 Sino-British treaty. We can’t continue to turn a blind eye to Beijing’s egregious violations of international law.”

Former Liberal Senator Jim Munson, a patron of Hong Kong Watch, said when it comes to Hong Kong it is “Time to speak in one voice Canada.”

Jenny Kwan MP, the New Democratic Party’s Spokesperson for Multiculturalism, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, called for Canada to work closely with ally countries to condemn these persecutions and to coordinate further action to support the people of Hong Kong.

Senator Leo Housakos, a patron of Hong Kong Watch, wrote to Global Affairs Canada inquiring whether the Hong Kong authorities have allowed Canadian officials full access to provide consular services to Denise Ho.

The former Minister of Justice and Liberal Member of Parliament, Irwin Cotler, also a patron of Hong Kong Watch strongly condemned the arrest of Denise Ho and called for her immediate release alongside the other pro-democracy activists and journalists that have been detained.

In response to the arrests, Melanie Joy MP, the Foreign Affairs Minister said:

“Canada will always stand up to support democracy and freedom of the press. We are deeply concerned by the arrests in Hong Kong of current and former board and staff members from Stand News, including Canadian citizen and activist Denise Ho.

Freedom of media and expression remain cornerstones of democracy and essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We will continue to speak out and denounce violations of these freedoms, in partnership with our international allies.

Our consular officials are engaged and stand ready to provide assistance on the ground. We are monitoring the situation very closely.”

加拿大政府回應國會議員呼籲 承諾安排領事隨時提供協助

今天一眾加拿大跨黨派國會議員呼籲總理杜魯多採取「迅速及有力」的行動尋求釋放社運人士和加拿大公民何韻詩。聲援何韻詩及立場新聞的議員包括四位香港監察國際贊助人在野的保守黨外交委員會議員 Garnett Genuis 、參議員 Leo Housakos、前加拿大司法部長 Irwin Cotler 及前參院員 Jim Munson，另外亦包括影子外交部長莊文浩（Michael Chong）、新民主黨港裔議員關慧貞（Jenny Kwan）及保守黨議員 Michael Barrett。

2021 年 12 月 29 日，香港警方根據《刑事條例》，以「串謀發布煽動刊物罪」拘捕了何韻詩、幾名立場新聞記者以及社運人士兼大律師吳靄儀。

何韻詩是香港著名歌手和社運人士。她於蒙特利爾長大並擁有加拿大公民身份。2020 年 8 月，由於親北京媒體指責何韻詩勾結外國勢力，香港藝術發展局取消了她的音樂會。

加拿大外交部長 Mélanie Joly 回應拘捕事件指：

「加拿大將永遠支持民主和新聞自由。我們深切關注香港當局拘捕立場新聞現任和前董事會成員和員工，包括加拿大公民及社運人士何韻詩。媒體和言論自由是民主的基石，對於保護人權和基本自由至關重要。加拿大將繼續與國際盟友合作，持續聲援被補人士，並譴責一切對這些基本自由的侵犯。我們的領事官員正準備在香港當地隨時提供協助。我們正非常密切地監測局勢。」