Canadian parliamentarians call on the Government to improve its lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers
Today a cross-party group of fourteen Canadian parliamentarians have written to the Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, calling for the Canadian Government to improve its lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers.
The parliamentarians in their letter have urged the Government to:
· ‘Allow Hong Kongers the opportunity to start the asylum application process at Canadian embassies and consulates outside of Hong Kong.
· Allow Hong Kongers in third party countries who are sponsored by Canadian citizens to travel to Canada to start their asylum process.
· Commit to ensuring a waiver for cases of political persecution, includes ensuring political political convictions for “rioting” or “unlawful assembly” are not grounds for inadmissibility to apply for asylum.
· With the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Pilot as reference, establish specific initiatives to support the most politically-exposed individuals.
· Extend the Youth Mobility International Experience Canada Program to two years and expand the age group to 18-35.[1]
· Consider exercising legislative authority of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of 2002 to issue Ministerial Instructions where necessary to cover the loopholes.’
The letter follows the charging of 47 pro-democracy activists under the National Security Law for the participating and organising last year’s democratic primaries. The Canadian Parliamentarians have stated that “these packages of measures would improve the Government’s lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers and ensure that the most vulnerable pro-democracy activists are able to find safe haven in Canada.”
Commenting on the cross-party letter, Benedict Rogers, Hong Kong Watch’s Chief Executive, Said:
“This cross-party letter highlights the growing concern amongst Canadian parliamentarians regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in Hong Kong and the mass charging of pro-democracy activists under the National Security Law.
We hope that the Canadian Government will listen to these parliamentarians and urgently improve its lifeboat scheme, to ensure that the most vulnerable Hong Kongers are able to travel to Canada to take up its offer of a lifeline.”
The full letter
15 March 2021
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
The Honourable Marco Mendicino
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
C.D. Howe Building
235 Queen St,
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0H5
Improving the Canadian Government’s lifeboat offer to Hong Kongers
Dear Minister,
We the undersigned, are writing to raise our concern about the mass charging of 47 pro-democracy activists with subversion under the National Security Law in Hong Kong. The subsequent trial of the 47 represents the largest prosecution of pro-democracy activists in the history of the territory and marks further evidence of the fast deterioration of Hong Kong’s autonomy, democracy, and the rule of law. Almost all of the prominent leaders of the pro-democracy parties are now in exile, in jail, or await trial and sentencing.
It is clear that the human rights situation is deteriorating at a worrying pace, with many Hong Kongers desperate for a lifeline out of the city. The current COVID-19 travel restrictions place a substantial obstacle to the ability of individuals from Hong Kong to find safe refuge. With that in mind, we urge you to consider introducing the following measures to ensure as many Hong Kongers as possible are able to take up the Canadian Government’s offer of a lifeboat:
· Allow Hong Kongers the opportunity to start the asylum application process at Canadian embassies and consulates outside of Hong Kong.
· Allow Hong Kongers in third party countries who are sponsored by Canadian citizens to travel to Canada to start their asylum process.
· Commit to ensuring a waiver for cases of political persecution, includes ensuring political political convictions for “rioting” or “unlawful assembly” are not grounds for inadmissibility to apply for asylum.
· With the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Pilot as reference, establish specific initiatives to support the most politically-exposed individuals.
· Extend the Youth Mobility International Experience Canada Program to two years and expand the age group to 18-35.[2]
· Consider exercising legislative authority of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of 2002 to issue Ministerial Instructions where necessary to cover the loopholes.
Taken together, we believe these packages of measures would improve the Government’s lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers and ensure that the most vulnerable pro-democracy activists are able to find safe haven in Canada.
We must live up to our historic relationship and shared values with the people of Hong Kong. The trial of the 47 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong demands action. We hope that the Government will move swiftly to adopt these proposals and work with likeminded partners to ensure that every Hong Konger who needs a lifeline out of the city has one.
Yours sincerely,
Jenny Kwan MP
John Williamson MP
John McKay MP
Senator Jim Munson
Senator Thahn Hai Ngo
Senator Leo Housakos
Kenny Chiu MP
Tom Kmiec MP
Marcus Powlowski MP
David Sweet MP
Kerry-Lynne Findlay MP
Heather McPherson MP
Lindsay Mathyssen MP
James Bezan MP
[1] This is already the case for French and Australian nationals who come to Canada under the scheme
[2] This is already the case for French and Australian nationals who come to Canada under the scheme