CACN Committee Report

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Seventh Interim Report

Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (CACN)

44th Parliament, 1st Session

Study

Canada–People’s Republic of China Relations

The Special Committee on the Canada-People's Republic of China Relationship condemns the verdict of Hong Kong's High Court on pro-democracy activists

Pursuant to the order of reference of Monday, May 16, 2022, and the motion adopted on Monday, June 3, 2024, the committee has agreed to report the following:

(a) That the Special Committee on the Canada-People's Republic of China Relationship condemns the verdict of Hong Kong’s High Court on May 30, 2024, which found 14 pro-democracy activists guilty for “conspiracy to subvert state power” simply for exercising their democratic and free speech rights;

(b) that the committee expresses its view that the trial was politically motivated and a violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, an international treaty, which states: "a prosecuting authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall control criminal prosecutions free from any interference" and "the courts shall exercise judicial power independently and free from any interference";

(c) that the committee expresses its view that the national security law imposed by Beijing, under which the 14 activists were found guilty, is a violation of the Joint Declaration, which states: "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government shall maintain the rights and freedoms as provided for by the laws previously in force in Hong Kong, including freedom of the person, of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, to form and join trade unions, of correspondence, of travel, of movement, of strike, of demonstration, of choice of occupation, of academic research, of belief, inviolability of the home, the freedom to marry and the right to raise a family freely";

(d) that the committee objects to the ongoing violations by the authorities of the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong in the Joint Declaration;

(e) that the committee calls upon the authorities of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to immediately release the 14 pro-democracy activists, and;

(f) that while noting the government issued a statement on May 30, 2024, expressing its concerns regarding the verdict on the “Hong Kong 47” trial, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report pursuant to Standing Order 109.

A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 43) is tabled.