We write today to raise concerns about the continuing impacts of the National Security Law that was unilaterally imposed upon Hong Kong by the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in June 2020, and the erosion of fundamental human rights, democracy and civil liberties faced by the people of Hong Kong.
As you may have seen in recent news reports, a respected Canadian journalist and editor, Mr. Victor Ho, has been targeted by the current government of Hong Kong for his involvement in pro-democracy activities in Canada. Mr. Ho is a veteran journalist and was formerly the editor-in-chief of Sing Tao Daily from 2005-2018. He continues to work as an independent public affairs commentator and operates independent media outlet, Media Analytica.
Canadian activists detained by Israel last month while taking part in an aid flotilla trying to reach Gaza say Canada isn’t doing enough to call out treatment by Israeli officials that Ottawa has called appalling.
While Israel has rejected claims of abuse, flotilla participant Ehab Lotayef said Wednesday Israeli officials beat him on the chest and ribs, put him in uncomfortable positions for long periods and slashed his hand when he tried to help a fellow detainee.
“We felt that we were let down by Canada before anybody else, to be honest, because the Canadian government knew all that was happening,” Lotayef told a news conference on Parliament Hill.
“When we needed them was when we were being tortured — and the whole world knew that that was happening.”
Activist flotillas have tried repeatedly to reach the Gaza Strip to draw attention to tight restrictions on humanitarian supplies for Palestinians. Israel has intercepted these boats, often in international waters.
Lotayef was one of 12 Canadians among 420 flotilla activists detained by Israeli authorities last month. Their detention gained international notoriety when Israel’s Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself taunting the detained activists.
