Campaign for Jimmy Lai's Recognition Stalls in Ottawa
A significant push to grant honorary Canadian citizenship to Jimmy Lai, a prominent Hong Kong democracy activist and publisher, has hit a roadblock in Ottawa. Lai, who founded the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has been in solitary confinement for over four years due to his outspoken criticism of the Chinese regime. A motion led by Liberal MP Judy Sgro aimed to recognize Lai's fight for democratic values with honorary citizenship, timed ahead of the G7 leaders' summit in Alberta from June 15 to 17. However, on June 11, Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon instructed Sgro not to present the unanimous-consent motion, effectively halting the initiative.
The motion had garnered widespread support from MPs across all parties and even some senators, reflecting a rare bipartisan consensus. The intent was to draw international attention to Lai's plight as world leaders convened in Canada. Despite this backing, the government's decision to block the motion has left many advocates and rights groups frustrated, questioning Ottawa's commitment to highlighting human rights abuses on the global stage.
Human Rights Advocates Express Disappointment
The Toronto Association for Democracy in China, a key supporter of the campaign, voiced strong disappointment over Ottawa's decision. Cheuk Kwan, co-chair of the organization, emphasized the potential impact of the motion, stating, 'To put it in one word, we are very disappointed.' Kwan further noted that granting honorary citizenship could have been a powerful gesture to amplify Lai's case internationally, especially during the G7 summit.
Former federal justice minister Irwin Cotler, who has been involved in the advocacy efforts, described the proposed citizenship as a 'gesture of solidarity' with Lai's struggle for freedom of the press and democracy. The decision to halt the motion has been seen by some as a missed opportunity for Canada to take a stand against the suppression of dissent in Hong Kong. Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai's son, has also been active in raising awareness, holding talks in Ottawa and Toronto about his father's continued incarceration.
Broader Implications for Canada's Stance on Human Rights
The blocking of this motion raises questions about Canada's approach to international human rights issues, particularly concerning Hong Kong. Advocates argue that recognizing Lai could have sent a strong message to Hong Kong authorities and the Chinese regime about the global community's concern over his detention. With the G7 summit providing a platform for such discussions, the timing of the motion was seen as critical by supporters.
Reports indicate that Judy Sgro had already secured cross-party support, making the government's intervention particularly surprising to many. Posts found on social media platform X reflect a sentiment of frustration among some users, with suggestions that Ottawa's decision may indicate reluctance to confront certain geopolitical tensions. As Sebastien Lai stated in a public statement, 'My father has given everything he has to stand up for values Canada holds dear: democracy and freedom of the press,' underscoring the personal stakes involved in this campaign.