By Canadian Press

Canada follows peers, blasts Hong Kong bounties that include Edmonton-born activist

Jul 5, 2023 | 8:35 AM

Ottawa is condemning Hong Kong officials for issuing bounties for the arrest of eight activists living abroad, days after Canada’s peers slammed the move.

Hong Kong’s national-security law restricts civil liberties in the territory, which is a special administrative region within China but was guaranteed certain democratic freedoms when Britain handed over the former colony in 1997.

Officials announced on Monday that eight pro-democracy activists who are charged under the law are the subject of bounties, with authorities offering the equivalent of roughly $170,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Edmonton-born Dennis Kwok, who renounced his Canadian citizenship when he became a Hong Kong legislator in 2012, is on that list.

Global Affairs Canada says in a tweet that it is “gravely concerned” by Hong Kong officials seeking to apply the law outside the territory, saying it undermines democratic rights and freedoms.

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Today’s statement comes after the U.S., Britain and Australia condemned the move, though it’s unclear if any countries will implement sanctions or suspend co-operation with the territory in response.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2023.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press