Canada and other G7 countries have issued a joint statement condemning the Hong Kong police for issuing arrest warrants and bounties on democracy activists overseas.
Hong Kong law enforcement issued warrants and bounties for 19 individuals living in other countries, including Canada, on July 25. It accused the individuals of planning to undermine Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.
Members of the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, which include Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the European Union, as well as associate members of the G7 RRM, including Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden issued a joint statement on Aug. 8 saying the move targets those “exercising their freedom of expression.”
The G7 RRM was formed in 2018 to “identify and respond” to foreign threats to democracy, such as “hostile state activity” that targets democratic institutions or processes, according to Global Affairs Canada.
The Hong Kong police’s moves target pro-democracy activists, including those in G7 RRM countries.
“This form of transnational repression undermines national security, state sovereignty, human rights, and the safety of communities,” the joint statement said.
It added that the G7 RRM members were committed to strengthening efforts to safeguard sovereignty, keep communities safe, and defend individuals from “the overreach of governments trying to silence, intimidate, harass, harm or coerce them within our borders.”
“We encourage individuals to report suspicious activities and any incidents of intimidation, harassment, coercion, or threats to their law enforcement authorities in accordance with domestic laws and regulations,” the joint statement said.
The countries’ said the G7 RRM and “likeminded global partners” stood together in “countering these ongoing malign activities.”
G7 nations also issued a joint statement in June at the conclusion of their summit in Canada condemning transnational repressions.
“We, the Leaders of the G7, are deeply concerned by growing reports of transnational repression (TNR). TNR is an aggressive form of foreign interference whereby states or their proxies attempt to intimidate, harass, harm or coerce individuals or communities outside their borders,” the statement said.
Ministers Condemn Hong Kong Police’s Announcement
The Aug. 8 joint statement comes about two weeks after Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree spoke out against the Hong Kong police’s decision, calling it an attempt for Hong Kong “to conduct transnational repression abroad.”
Hong Kong law enforcement issued the bounties and warrants for 19 pro-democracy activists, including some who live in Canada. It said the warrants were issued for “suspected contravention” of its national security law for promoting self-determination in the city.
Canadian Victor Ho is one of the activists on the warrant list, and already faces a warrant from a December 2024 announcement by Hong Kong with a HK$1 million reward for his arrest.
Three other Canadian residents are on the list, including Vancouver-based activist Keung Ka-wai.
Anand and Anandasangaree said that Canada stands in solidarity with other “international partners” who have citizens or residents that were also targeted by the Hong Kong law enforcement decision.
“Canada reiterates its previous calls to repeal this law, which violates Hong Kong’s international human rights obligations, and withdraw all related warrants and bounties,” the ministers said in a joint statement.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
