Hong Kong Watch urges Canadian Parliament to address transnational repression against Hong Kongers

Today, Hong Kong Watch’s Advocacy Officer Landson Chan testified before the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR) at a hearing titled “Global Impact of Transnational Repression”. This follows Hong Kong Watch’s ongoing advocacy with Canadian parliamentarians on transnational repression targeting the Hong Kong diaspora. 

Mr Chan opened his testimony by stating that Hong Kong Watch has documented cases revealing how transnational repression is affecting the Hong Kong diaspora in Canada, including harassment, intimidation, and surveillance. He then detailed select cases, including individuals receiving anonymous threats linked to pro-democracy activities, doxxing of personal and workplace information, and intimidation involving family members. Community leaders and organizers have been targeted with surveillance and threats of physical harm, while even non-activists have faced workplace harassment simply for attending community events. 

Mr Chan described how these incidents are occurring alongside broader measures by the Hong Kong authorities, including public bounties on overseas activists and actions tied to the extraterritorial reach of the Hong Kong National Security Law. Notably, Joe Tay was targeted during Canada’s 2025 election with online “wanted-style” campaigns and safety threats, while Anna Kwok’s case highlights how repression extends to family members, with her father prosecuted and sentenced in Hong Kong after attempting to cancel her insurance policy following her departure.

Despite Canada’s robust legislative response to foreign interference in 2024, including by passing Bill C-70 into law, gaps remain in enforcement and protection, contributing to ongoing concerns about safety, accountability, and foreign interference. Hong Kong Watch urges the Canadian Parliament to adopt a comprehensive approach to transnational repression focused on prevention, protection, and accountability. This includes expediting the foreign influence transparency registry, strengthening protections for high-risk individuals, and implementing diplomatic measures and targeted sanctions against responsible foreign actors.

You can watch the full hearing here.

In his remarks to the Subcommittee, Hong Kong Watch Advocacy and Communications Officer Landson Chan, said:

“[Transnational repression] is not solely a Hong Kong diaspora issue. It concerns Canada’s sovereignty, security, and democratic integrity. Transnational repression silences voices within diaspora communities and discourages civic participation. Canada must remain a place where individuals can speak freely without fear of intimidation by foreign governments.”

Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP, Patron of Hong Kong Watch and Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, said:

“The testimony heard today shows that we must be extremely cautious in our relations with a country that tramples human rights, even beyond its own borders. The guilty verdict handed down against Jimmy Lai starkly illustrates how far Hong Kong has drifted from its promises of freedom and autonomy. The Bloc Québécois is calling for the immediate release of Mr. Lai. And we expect Mark Carney and his government to adopt the same firm stance in defending human rights and addressing transnational repression.”

香港監察向加拿大國會國際人權小組委員會作證  促應對跨國鎮壓港人問題

今天，香港監察倡議及傳訊主任Landson Chan出席加拿大眾議院外交事務及國際發展常務委員會國際人權小組委員會聽證會，就「跨國鎮壓的全球影響」作供。香港監察之前持續就針對海外港人社群的跨國鎮壓問題，與加拿大國會議員倡議。

Landson在作證開始時指出，香港監察接獲的個案揭示跨國鎮壓如何影響加拿大海外港人社群，包括騷擾、恐嚇和監視。然後，他詳細列舉特定個案，包括個別人士收到與支持民主活動有關的匿名威脅、個人及職場資料被「起底」，以及牽涉家人的恐嚇。社區領袖和組織者受到監視和身體傷害威脅，就連非社運人士都純粹因為參加社區活動，而受到職場騷擾。

Landson指出這些事件與香港當局採取的更廣泛行動同時發生，包括懸紅通緝海外社運人士，以及動用《國家安全法》的治外法權行事。他特別提到，2025年加拿大聯邦大選期間，保守黨候選人鄭敬基受到打壓，包括網上偽造通緝海報和安全威脅；而居美港人郭鳳儀的個案則顯示打壓延伸至家人，郭父被指以郭鳳儀不在港為由，試圖取消為她購買的保單，結果被香港當局起訴並判刑。

雖然加拿大在2024年因應外國干預採取了強而有力的立法措施，包括通過《C-70法案》成為法律，但在執法和保護方面仍然存在漏洞，令外界持續對安全、問責和外國干預感到憂慮。香港監察促請加拿大國會採取全面措施應對跨國鎮壓，並將重點放在預防、保護和問責上。這包括加快建立外國影響透明度登記制度，加強對高風險人士的保護，以及對涉事外國行為者實施外交措施和點名制裁。

請在此處觀看完整聽證會。

香港監察倡議及傳訊主任Landson Chan向小組委員會作證時表示：

「［跨國鎮壓］不單是海外港人社群議題，更關乎加拿大的主權、安全與民主完整。跨國鎮壓壓制離散社群聲音，窒礙公民參與。加拿大必須維持是容許每個人自由發言，而不必擔心受到外國政府恐嚇的地方。」

香港監察贊助人、外交事務及國際發展常務委員會國際人權小組委員會副主席Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP表示：

「今天我們聽到的證詞顯示，我們必須極為謹慎地對待踐踏人權，甚至向境外延伸的國家。黎智英被判罪成清晰表明，香港已經遠遠背離自由與自治承諾。魁人政團呼籲立即釋放黎智英。我們期望卡尼及其政府在捍衛人權及應對跨國鎮壓上，採取同樣堅定的立場。」