OTTAWA — The Green Party of Canada is alarmed by the latest developments in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR), including reports of the arrest and charging of prominent activists and the blocking of planned peaceful demonstrations.
“The Green Party of Canada supports the right to peaceful assembly and association," said Annamie Paul, International Affairs Critic for the Green Party. "The recent arrests constitute an unhelpful escalation by the Hong Kong SAR authorities. It has already had a chilling effect and led to the cancellation of planned peaceful demonstrations, and it undermines the potential for a peaceful resolution.”
The Green Party reminds the Hong Kong SAR authorities of their obligation to respect the right to peaceful expression, and of their responsibility to work to de-escalate the situation. “We call on all parties involved in the Hong Kong SAR demonstrations to engage in peaceful, inclusive dialogue as the preferred means of de-escalating and resolving the current situation.”
Given the approximately 300,000 Canadians who reside in Hong Kong SAR, the Green Party of Canada also calls on the Government of Canada to vigorously defend its citizens as they exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms, to work to ensure that Canadian nationals are protected as this situation unfolds, and to encourage dialogue between all parties.
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For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Rosie Emery
Press Secretary
613-562-4916x206
rosie.emery@greenparty.ca