Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Very briefly, they are still largely aware. There are individual websites, including Hong Kong Watch's own website, that have been blocked, but the great firewall of China has not been imposed on Hong Kong yet. Twitter, Facebook and other websites are accessible. I think peop

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you. I think there are four main reasons why the trial is not credible. The first is that Mr. Lai was, as you mentioned, denied his original choice of legal counsel. Secondly, the judges, as in all national security trials, are hand-picked by the government and are known

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I think it's incredibly important. I welcome the fact that you had Sebastian Lai here last week. I also welcome the fact that Sebastian has, in previous months, met with government officials in Canada. He also met the British foreign secretary, David Cameron, just before Christma

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you for the question. I think there is a total lack of credibility in the trial. As you have—

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Of course. I think the trial is completely lacking in credibility. I'll leave it at that.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you. Yes, I think that what Canada, together with like-minded countries—the 18 member states that made specific recommendations on Hong Kong—can do is to take part in the follow-up process. The UPR has now concluded in terms of recommendations, but certainly they can follo

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  If I may add to that, Mr. Chair, I think Ambassador Cunningham has answered very comprehensively. There are just two other factors I would add. One is the closure of most, if not all, of the other independent Chinese-language media, and particularly Stand News, which was the ot

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  There are many courageous reporters who are still trying to report news stories as best they can. However, certainly in terms of opinion pieces and commentary, my understanding from what I can see, both in the South China Morning Post and from what I learn of the Chinese-language

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  First of all, let me say that I think sanctions are absolutely essential. It's a case that we're making to Canada. We're also trying to make it to the United Kingdom. I think that if many democracies in the free world act together to impose sanctions, that would really, potential

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is an honour to testify today. In doing so, I wish to endorse all of the recommendations of the previous two witnesses and of those who appeared last week, especially the call to sanction those responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong. I hav