Canadian Ministers Condemn Hong Kong's Arrest Warrants Targeting Exiles

In a pronounced stance against the recent actions of Hong Kong authorities, two ministers from Prime Minister Mark Carney's government have publicly condemned the issuance of arrest warrants for 19 overseas-based activists. These warrants, announced by Hong Kong police, are reportedly linked to allegations of violations of a national security law imposed by Beijing. The ministers, Anita Anand, the Foreign Affairs Minister, and Gary Anandasangaree, the Public Safety Minister, issued a joint statement on July 26, 2025, asserting that these actions pose a severe threat to both national sovereignty and the security of Canadians.

According to the Hong Kong police, the targeted activists are accused of organizing illegal activities aimed at undermining the Chinese government and promoting self-determination through a group they call the Hong Kong Parliament. This organization, which has limited influence, was founded in Toronto in 2022 and claims to work toward establishing a constitution for Hong Kong. The Hong Kong police's recent statement indicated that the group has conducted electoral activities abroad, thus justifying the issuance of the arrest warrants.

In their statement, Anand and Anandasangaree emphasized that many of the individuals named in the warrants are Canadian citizens or have close ties to Canada. They described the actions taken by Hong Kong authorities as a form of transnational repression that would not be tolerated by Canada. "This attempt by Hong Kong authorities to conduct transnational repression abroad, including by issuing threats, intimidation, or coercion against Canadians or those in Canada, will not be tolerated," the ministers asserted.

As part of this crackdown, the Hong Kong police have offered rewards for information leading to the capture of the activists, with amounts reaching up to 1 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $174,580 CAD) for key figures such as Elmer Yuen, Johnny Fok, Tony Choi, and Victor Ho. Rewards of 200,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $34,915 CAD) were also announced for information on the remaining 15 activists, urging local residents to assist in the capture of these individuals.

This event marks the third instance in which Hong Kong has issued international bounties on activists living abroad, indicating a troubling escalation in the use of state-sponsored coercion by the People's Republic of China. Anand and Anandasangaree pointed out that these bounties have been amplified online through coordinated campaigns targeting Chinese-speaking communities, a tactic identified by the Rapid Response Mechanism Canada, which aims to counter foreign disinformation.

The Canadian ministers reiterated calls for the repeal of the national security law and the withdrawal of all related warrants and bounties. This situation is part of a broader trend observed over the past few years, wherein Hong Kong authorities have increasingly targeted pro-democracy activists residing outside the region. Notable previous targets have included Nathan Law and Ted Hui, former pro-democracy lawmakers who have fled to foreign countries amid the crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong.

The implications of these developments extend beyond individual activists, raising significant concerns regarding the sovereignty of nations that harbor dissidents and the potential for escalating tensions between China and those countries. As Canada continues to navigate its foreign policy in relation to China, the responses to such transnational threats will likely shape diplomatic relations in the years to come. The international community's response to such actions by the Hong Kong government remains crucial in determining the future of human rights and political freedoms in the region.

The ongoing situation illustrates the complexities of international diplomacy in the face of authoritarian measures, emphasizing the need for countries like Canada to balance their commitments to human rights with their diplomatic relationships. As these events unfold, the global community watches closely, anticipating further developments that may arise from this escalating conflict between individual freedoms and state control.