Hong Kong Watch Canada hosts reception in Canadian Parliament to welcome new Patrons
On Wednesday, Hong Kong Watch Canada hosted a reception in the Canadian Parliament, to welcome two esteemed Members of the Canadian Parliament – Shuvaloy Majumdar MP, Member of the International Human Rights Subcommittee, and Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP, Vice-Chair of the International Human Rights Subcommittee and Vice-Chair of the Citizenship and Immigration Committee, as new Patrons of Hong Kong Watch. Over 30 guests attended the event, including over 10 parliamentarians and representatives from MPs’ offices, as well as Taiwan’s representative to Canada.
Three Canadian Patrons of Hong Kong Watch, Melissa Lantsman MP, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party, James Bezan MP, Shadow Minister for National Defence, and Senator Leo Housakos, made remarks at the event. They said that they were honoured to be a Patron of Hong Kong Watch and that they were proud to speak out for Hong Kong’s human rights and freedoms.
MP Lantsman pointed out the challenges currently facing Hong Kong and stressed the importance for the international community to stand together to support the people of Hong Kong in their fight for freedom and justice. MP Bezan mentioned that the situation in Hong Kong is not only a problem for Hong Kongers, but also an issue that the whole world should be concerned about. He emphasised that Canada will continue to speak out for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement in the international arena and expressed his unwavering support for the work of Hong Kong Watch. Senator Leo Housakos welcomed the two new Patrons to Hong Kong Watch and reiterated his continued support for the mission of Hong Kong Watch.
Shuvaloy Majumdar MP said:
“Beijing’s brutal crackdown on Hong Kongers has shattered lives, eroded individual freedoms, and imperilled stability. Hong Kong Watch has been a powerful force, rallying leaders around the world to stand against oppression and for freedom. Honoured to join them in their mission as a Patron.”
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP said:
“I’d like to thank Hong Kong Watch for giving me this opportunity. It is both an honor and a privilege to become Hong Kong Watch’s Patron, given all the organization’s work in favor of democracy and justice. I will fulfill this role with diligence and the same determination that has guided my actions since the beginning, in support of vulnerable populations and the defense of human rights issues.”
A representative of the Hong Kong Young Professionals Association Canada (HKYPA) was also there. He presented a petition to Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP and Melissa Lantsman MP, calling for an increase in admission targets for the Hong Kong Pathway to solve the backlog of permanent residency applications.
Parliamentarians/diplomat attending the reception:
Shuvaloy Majumdar MP
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP
Hon. Ed Fast MP
James Bezan MP
Ambassador Harry Tseng
Senator Andrew Cardozo
Greg McLean MP
Senator Leo Housakos
Pierre Paul-Hus MP
Kelly Block MP
Melissa Lantsman MP
加拿大香港監察新贊助人招待會順利在加拿大國會舉行
星期三，加拿大香港監察在加拿大國會舉辦招待會，歡迎兩位備受尊重的加拿大國會議員──國際人權小組委員會委員Shuvaloy Majumdar MP，以及國際人權小組委員會副主席、公民及移民委員會副主席Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP加入成為香港監察贊助人。30多位嘉賓出席招待會，包括10多位國會議員和議員辦事處代表，以及台灣駐加拿大代表。
三位加拿大香港監察贊助人──國會議員Melissa Lantsman MP（保守黨副黨魁）、國會議員James Bezan MP（影子國防部長），以及參議員Senator Leo Housakos在會上發表演講。他們均表示，對多年來擔任香港監察贊助人深感榮幸，並對能夠為香港人權與自由發聲感到自豪。
Lantsman議員指出香港目前面對的挑戰，並強調國際社會必須團結一致，支持香港人爭取自由與公義。Bezan議員則提到，香港的情況不但是香港人的問題，而且是全世界都應該關注的議題。他強調加拿大會繼續在國際舞台上為香港的民主運動發聲，並表示會堅定支持香港監察的工作。最後，Housakos參議員歡迎兩位新贊助人加入行列，並重申會持續支持香港監察的使命。
Shuvaloy Majumdar MP表示：
「北京對香港人的殘暴打壓摧毀港人生活，侵蝕個人自由，並且危及穩定。香港監察一直是有影響力的組織，集結世界各地的領袖對抗壓迫，爭取自由。很榮幸能以贊助人的身分參與他們的使命。」
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP表示：
「感謝香港監察給我這個機會。有見這個組織所有為支持民主和公義而做的工作，成為香港監察贊助人實屬榮幸。我會以勤勉盡責的態度和由始至終就指引我行動的決心克盡己職，支援弱勢社群，捍衛人權議題。」
加拿大香港菁英協會（HKYPA）的代表亦有出席活動。他向移民委員會副主席Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP和保守黨副黨魁Melissa Lantsman MP呈交請願信，要求增加「Hong Kong Pathway」的移民目標配額（admission targets），解決永久居留申請滯後的嚴峻問題。
出席招待會的國會議員／外交官：
Shuvaloy Majumdar MP
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP
Hon. Ed Fast MP
James Bezan MP
Ambassador Harry Tseng
Senator Andrew Cardozo
Greg McLean MP
Senator Leo Housakos
Pierre Paul-Hus MP
Kelly Block MP
Melissa Lantsman MP