Thank you.
Good afternoon, esteemed members of the international human rights subcommittee. I'm Fernando Cheung, a former legislative councillor in Hong Kong. Today I stand before you representing Canada-Hong Kong Link, a Canadian registered organization established in 1997 with the aim of promoting democracy, freedoms and the rule of law in Hong Kong post handover to China, along with safeguarding national interest, security and democracy in Canada.
To many Hong Kong Canadians, Jimmy Lai is more than just a media tycoon. He is a valiant defender of freedoms in Hong Kong. The first time I met Mr. Lai was in 2014 during the umbrella movement, in a tent in an occupied area close to the Hong Kong government headquarters.
Jimmy Lai's journey of persistent struggle under Communist rule reflects the political changes that Hong Kong has gone through. An international and free society before its handover to Communist China, Hong Kong has gone through a “one country, two systems” transition period on its journey to become a police state, a vast prison without walls, under the Hong Kong national security law.
In a time of grave challenges under the Hong Kong national security law, Lai chose his principles over money or even personal freedom. As the publisher and owner of Apple Daily and Next media group, he's willing to sacrifice his own freedom by staying behind to defend the freedoms of this city that he profoundly cherishes.
Jimmy Lai's trial is the most high-profile prosecution in the Hong Kong government's crackdown on independent media. Without independent media or sources of information, it is extremely difficult for Canadian businesses or civil society organizations alike to accurately assess the risks and opportunities there.
The fact that Lai faces the prospect of life imprisonment on the trumped-up charge of colluding with foreign powers is just one of many red flags warning Canadian businesses that Hong Kong no longer has the rule of law and is not a safe place to operate. Such severe penalties for vaguely defined offences under the national security law have created "white terror" in Hong Kong, where an estimated 500,000 Canadians live. But the Chinese government has stated that this draconian law applies everywhere on the planet, creating a chilling effect that threatens freedom of expression even in Canada, particularly for those Canadians who have family and other connections in Hong Kong or mainland China.
Jimmy Lai is fighting on the front lines of a global struggle against forces of oppression that threaten freedom everywhere. We strongly urge our government to take a number of actions.
Closely monitor the trials of Jimmy Lai and the 47 accused because of their involvement in the Hong Kong primary election and demand the immediate release of all political prisoners under prosecution of the national security law.
Use our Magnitsky law to call to account the human rights violators who aim to put Jimmy Lai behind bars for life. As we have done with Russian human rights violators, we should freeze the assets owned by these officials under sanction as well as their immediate family members in Canada.
Closely monitor the implementation of Basic Law article 23 legislation and assess its impacts on civil liberties and freedoms in Hong Kong, especially on Canadians living there and the Canadian businesses operating in Hong Kong.
To protect diaspora communities from foreign interference, the Canadian government needs to pass the foreign influence transparency registry in Parliament without further delay, before the next election is called. The passage of this registry should not be bundled with the final report of the public inquiry.
The Canadian consulate general in China and Hong Kong should start registering all Canadian residents and citizens in Hong Kong and mainland China. Canada needs to establish an exit plan to prepare for the worst scenario in case of China's attack on Taiwan, which would lead to immediate and rapid deterioration of the situation in Hong Kong and the mainland.
Together, let us stand in solidarity with Jimmy Lai and all those fighting for freedom and justice in Hong Kong and beyond.
Thank you.