Canadian Friends of Hong Kong raises concerns about investigation’s objectivity and security
Commissioner Justice Marie-Josee Hogue listens to a lawyer speak at the Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference in Federal Election Processes and Democratic Institutions on Feb. 2 in Ottawa.The human-rights group Canadian Friends of Hong Kong says it won’t participate in Canada’s public inquiry into foreign interference, citing what it calls grave concerns about the standing granted to three politicians with alleged ties to the Chinese government.
“We have grave concerns regarding the objectivity and the security integrity of the Foreign Interference Commission of Inquiry, primarily due to standing being granted to individuals suspected to have strong ties to the Chinese consulates, and their proxies,” Canadian Friends of Hong Kong said in a statement. “We denounce the granting of full standing to MP Han Dong and Michael Chan and intervenor status to Senator Yuen Pau Woo.
CFHK did not apply for full standing, unlike the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, which was part of the Human Rights Coalition, an umbrella body of Canadian organizations that have spoken out against China’s foreign interference and human-rights abuses. However, Gloria Fung, president of Canada-Hong Kong Link, which represents people from Hong Kong and is also a member of the rights coalition, said her group would continue to participate in the inquiry.
Ms. McCuaig-Johnston said the inquiry’s “vague assurances” of providing confidentiality to witnesses who are afraid for their safety are “not sufficient protection.” Justice Hogue said full standing was granted to Mr. Dong and Mr. Chan because they had “reputational interest” to defend but also noted that “the right to cross-examination granted to the parties is not absolute.”
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