Canadian community organizations urging Canadian Government to act on the Standing Committee’s recommendations on Hong Kong’s democratic future June 16, 2015 Following the November 19, 2014 all-party motion in support of Hong Kong and two phases of hearing in March and May 2015 on the situation of Hong Kong, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development presented to the House of Commons the report of the parliamentary study titled “Hong Kong’s Democratic Future” on June 15, 2015. This report was released just two days prior to the commencement of Hong Kong Legislative Council’s discussion and voting on the controversial political reform on the election of Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Three recommendations were made by the Standing Committee to Canadian Government as a result of this study: 1. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada state its support for the democratic aspirations of Hong Kong people, including the need for genuine universal suffrage in the election of their political leaders. 2. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada reiterate its support for the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and for the 1984 Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong. 3. The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada encourage dialogue that can lead to governance reforms in Hong Kong that are broadly accepted by all concerned. Canada-Hong Kong Link, the Canadian community organization that is instrumental in making this parliamentary study happen in collaboration with organizations from other parts of Canada particularly Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal, applaud the content and recommendations of the report as being comprehensive, objective and reflective of the aspirations of Hong Kong people and Canadians towards the situation in Hong Kong and the roles Canada should play in promoting true democracy and meaningful dialogue there. The situation in Hong Kong matters to Canada as we have a long-standing connection to Hong Kong in terms of historical, people-to-people, and commercial ties. According to the Canadian General Consulate in Hong Kong, the territory boasts one of the largest Canadian communities abroad (an estimated 295,000). “This community, along with some 500,000 people of Hong Kong descent in Canada, plays a dynamic role in building vibrant bilateral relations”. The effort of the parliamentarians demonstrates the commitment of Canada to uphold the Canadian core values of democracy, freedom and rule of law and its legal and moral obligation to Hong Kong people as an endorsing country of the Joint Declaration in 1984. In view of forthcoming voting on the proposed political reform by HKSAR Legislative Council as early as June 17, all Canadian community organizations concerned about Hong Kong urge the Canadian Government to act on the Committee’s recommendations to show its timely support to political reform with genuine universal suffrage, and to urge the People’s Republic of China to honour and respect what they have promised Hong Kong citizens in the Joint Declaration and Basic Law in respect to ‘One Country Two Systems’, ‘Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong’ with a ‘High Degree of Autonomy’. They sincerely hope that ‘Canada stands for what is right and just, regardless of whether it is popular, convenient or expedient’. References : HONG KONG’S DEMOCRATIC FUTURE : Report Of The Standing Committee On Foreign Affairs And International Development, Canadian Parliament House Of Commons 15 Jun 2015 http://www.parl.gc.ca/…/412_FAAE_Rpt11…/412_FAAE_Rpt11-e.pdf 港加聯暨學生與公民團體於次日加拿大國會香港聽證會後簡佈會 Canada-Hong Kong Link With Students, Civic Organizations Media Conference After Day 2 Of Canadian Parliamentary Hearing On Hong Kong 07 May 2015 Parliament Hill, Ottawa https://youtu.be/3in585xmBxs Canada-Hong Kong Link Contacts : Tel : (289) 800-1040 E-mail : chklink@gmail.com Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CHKLink Web : http://www.chkl.ca Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsYmricVtBmGpsncBzGQKnw Related channel : https://www.youtube.com/user/MyTuBeWeToBe

• published: 17 Jun 2015
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