The MP for Vancouver East has spoken out against the latest crackdown in Hong Kong, where she was born and raised.

In a statement released today, Jenny Kwan called on Canada to work with allies to condemn the persecution of journalists and former board members of the online media outlet Stand News.

Chinese national-security police have not named those arrested. But media have identified six of the seven taken into custody as Stand News acting editor-in-chief Shiu-tung (Patrick) Lam, former editor-in-chief Pui-kuen Chung, and former board members Margaret Ng, Denise Wan-see Ho, Tat-chi Chow, and Christine Meng-sang Fang.

Kwan stated that the closure of Stand News clearly illustrates that Hong Kong has been turned into a police state in violation of Article 27 of Hong Kong's Basic Law.  

It says: “Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of speech, of the press and of publication; freedom of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration; and the right and freedom to form and join trade unions, and to strike.”  

Kwan's statement pointed out that when China's National Congress enacted the National Security Law for Hong Kong on June 30,2020, residents were assured that it would not be applied retroactively.

However, that promise was contradicted by officials' decision when they charges Apple Daily publisher Jimmy Lai and Apple Daily former employees with publishing seditious materials from April 1, 2019 to June 24, 2020, according to Kwan.

She also emphasized that one of those detained, Denise Wan-see Ho, is a Canadian. Ho is also a high-profile pop star, actor, and human rights advocate.

Kwan stated that she "expects the Consulate of Canada in Hong Kong will provide the necessary assistance to Ho and her family".

Update

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly issued the following statement over Twitter in response to the arrests.

https://twitter.com/melaniejoly/status/1476315458135592961

https://twitter.com/melaniejoly/status/1476315461549703176