#Newspaper
Freeland mum on whether Hong Kong asylum seekers will be granted refuge as bigger wave predicted
//Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, asked about dozens of asylum claims made by Hong Kong protesters in Canada, praised the rich contribution immigrants from this former British colony have made to this country but declined to indicate whether Ottawa would grant the applicants refuge.
//46 Hong Kong citizens – many of whom took part in the massive demonstrations that began last year as China tightened its grip on the Asian city – are seeking asylum in Canada, citing harassment and brutality at the hands of police and fear of unjust prosecution.
//these cases are likely the beginning of a surge in refugee claims from Hong Kong as political turmoil there continues.
//Canada should proceed cautiously. “If Ottawa officially encourages and offers political asylum to protesters in Hong Kong, even [if] some of them clearly broke the law by being violent, Beijing is likely to interpret such a move as interfering in China’s domestic affairs, leading to adding more chill to an already cold-bilateral relationship.”
//Conservative MP Garnett Genuis, who sits on the House of Commons Canada-China committee, said there are valid reasons for granting asylum to pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong. He said he hopes Canada doesn’t turn away these claimants for fear of offending China.
//Mr. Saint-Jacques said he expects there will be a large influx of people coming from Hong Kong in the months ahead, including many of the 300,000 residents of the Asian city who hold Canadian passports.
//“I think these people would make a good contribution [to Canada] but the big dilemma for the federal government is that this is happening at the time when we need China’s goodwill to supply medical equipment we are desperate for,” he said.
//Today, as many as 500,000 Canadians of Hong Kong descent live in Canada
Full article: The Globe and Mail, (4 May)
#Asylum #Canada #HongKongProtest #Refuge
Freeland mum on whether Hong Kong asylum seekers will be granted refuge as bigger wave predicted
//Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, asked about dozens of asylum claims made by Hong Kong protesters in Canada, praised the rich contribution immigrants from this former British colony have made to this country but declined to indicate whether Ottawa would grant the applicants refuge.
//46 Hong Kong citizens – many of whom took part in the massive demonstrations that began last year as China tightened its grip on the Asian city – are seeking asylum in Canada, citing harassment and brutality at the hands of police and fear of unjust prosecution.
//these cases are likely the beginning of a surge in refugee claims from Hong Kong as political turmoil there continues.
//Canada should proceed cautiously. “If Ottawa officially encourages and offers political asylum to protesters in Hong Kong, even [if] some of them clearly broke the law by being violent, Beijing is likely to interpret such a move as interfering in China’s domestic affairs, leading to adding more chill to an already cold-bilateral relationship.”
//Conservative MP Garnett Genuis, who sits on the House of Commons Canada-China committee, said there are valid reasons for granting asylum to pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong. He said he hopes Canada doesn’t turn away these claimants for fear of offending China.
//Mr. Saint-Jacques said he expects there will be a large influx of people coming from Hong Kong in the months ahead, including many of the 300,000 residents of the Asian city who hold Canadian passports.
//“I think these people would make a good contribution [to Canada] but the big dilemma for the federal government is that this is happening at the time when we need China’s goodwill to supply medical equipment we are desperate for,” he said.
//Today, as many as 500,000 Canadians of Hong Kong descent live in Canada
Full article: The Globe and Mail, (4 May)
#Asylum #Canada #HongKongProtest #Refuge
The Globe and Mail
Freeland mum on whether Hong Kong asylum seekers will be granted refuge as bigger wave predicted
As the Globe first reported Monday, 46 Hong Kong citizens are seeking asylum in Canada, citing harassment and brutality at the hands of police and fear of unjust prosecution
#Asylum #SafeHaven
Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
#Australia, in response to the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020, had established a "safe haven" policy for Hongkongers.
The Guardian, citing data from the Department of Home Affairs, have found that only around 3,000 Hongkongers have benefitted from this programme.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick in Australia proposed that Hong Kong BNO holders and their family members should also be included in the programme.
In January 2021, over 50 pan-democratic activists were arrested for violating the National Security Law, sparking another wave of concern regarding Hongkongers long-term civil rights.
The Australian Government had announced in July 2020 that it would provide Hongkongers with a policy of convenience, allowing a maximum five-year extension for Graduate and Temporary Skill Shortage Visas, the right to apply for permanent residence, and implementing innovation and immigration policies to attract Hong Kong talents.
The Australian Government had then stated that around ten thousand technical personnel, graduates and international students from Hong Kong, and 2,500 Hongkongers not then in Australia could benefit from the new policy, with them dealing with 1,250 applications for residency from Hongkongers then.
However, The Guardian, with the data they received, showed that only 2,584 Hongkongers had their visas extended since the implementation of the new policy, with around 586 Hongkongers applying for Business Innovation and Investment visas.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick urged the Australian Government to increase its support towards Hongkongers, including receiving Hongkongers holding BNO passports and their family. He warned that the Chinese Government have been accelerating its oppression on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Hong Kong, and that "Australia should open its doors for our Hong Kong friends seeking refuge, to allow a chance of tasting democracy and liberty."
Source: Stand News #Jan11
#Visa #Refuge #Hongkongers
Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
#Australia, in response to the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020, had established a "safe haven" policy for Hongkongers.
The Guardian, citing data from the Department of Home Affairs, have found that only around 3,000 Hongkongers have benefitted from this programme.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick in Australia proposed that Hong Kong BNO holders and their family members should also be included in the programme.
In January 2021, over 50 pan-democratic activists were arrested for violating the National Security Law, sparking another wave of concern regarding Hongkongers long-term civil rights.
The Australian Government had announced in July 2020 that it would provide Hongkongers with a policy of convenience, allowing a maximum five-year extension for Graduate and Temporary Skill Shortage Visas, the right to apply for permanent residence, and implementing innovation and immigration policies to attract Hong Kong talents.
The Australian Government had then stated that around ten thousand technical personnel, graduates and international students from Hong Kong, and 2,500 Hongkongers not then in Australia could benefit from the new policy, with them dealing with 1,250 applications for residency from Hongkongers then.
However, The Guardian, with the data they received, showed that only 2,584 Hongkongers had their visas extended since the implementation of the new policy, with around 586 Hongkongers applying for Business Innovation and Investment visas.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick urged the Australian Government to increase its support towards Hongkongers, including receiving Hongkongers holding BNO passports and their family. He warned that the Chinese Government have been accelerating its oppression on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Hong Kong, and that "Australia should open its doors for our Hong Kong friends seeking refuge, to allow a chance of tasting democracy and liberty."
Source: Stand News #Jan11
#Visa #Refuge #Hongkongers