SB strongly condemns university student organisation for beautifying terrorist act
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A spokesman for the Security Bureau today (July 8) strongly condemned a university student organisation for beautifying and treating as heroic the blatant violence of the attacker who attempted to murder a police officer a few days ago. It sternly pointed out that glorifying and advocating for people to mourn the attacker for his lone-wolf terrorist attack is no different from supporting and encouraging terrorism, which goes against humanity and the people. Members of the public must get the facts right and should not be misled by any fallacy.
The spokesman criticised the student organisation for describing the attacker’s cold-blooded terrorist act as so-called “sacrifice” and offering condolences to him. It confuses right and wrong and is an attempt to deceive members of the public. These words and deeds will only trigger more hatred, send out a severely wrong message to society and make more people imitate the terrorist act of the attacker, thereby seriously endangering public safety. It is even more upsetting and enraging that these words and deeds that turn the truth upside down and mix right and wrong originated from a university. These students, who have received higher education, have failed the expectations of their parents, society and the university. They should be ashamed of their behaviour.
The spokesman stressed that any person who advocates terrorism or incites the commissioning of a terrorist activity may have breached the offence of terrorist activities under the Hong Kong National Security Law. It is a very serious offence. This clearly reflects the importance of national security education and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s supervision over education institutions. Article 9 of the Hong Kong National Security Law stipulates that the HKSAR Government shall take necessary measures to strengthen public communication, guidance, supervision and regulation over matters concerning national security including those relating to schools and universities.
The spokesman called on the public to discern facts from fallacies and not to condone terrorist violence directly or indirectly; to disassociate themselves from violent behaviour; and not to contribute to the emergence of local terrorism. This is because people who sympathise with violent assailants will easily be radicalised into supporters, who will then easily be turned into participants of terrorist activities. Such a process of radicalisation of terrorism is often seen abroad and different communities have suffered. Members of the public must draw a lesson from them.
The HKSAR Government will continue to remain vigilant at all times, sparing no effort in preventing and suppressing the emergence of any terrorism in Hong Kong.
Jun 12, 2021 | International
“Canada joins the Organization of American States, the United Nations, international human rights bodies and members of the international community in condemning the arbitrary arrest of political candidates in Nicaragua.”
June 11, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:
“Canada joins the Organization of American States, the United Nations, international human rights bodies and members of the international community in condemning the arbitrary arrest of political candidates in Nicaragua. The Government of Nicaragua has failed to implement meaningful electoral reforms that are desperately needed and is now further eroding the democratic process with these arbitrary detentions.
“We stand with the Nicaraguan people in their aspirations for a more just and democratic future, which includes a fundamental respect for human rights, media freedom, and the opportunity to make their own democratic choices in free, fair and transparent elections.
“The Government of Nicaragua needs to guarantee the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its people in accordance with international law and its own constitution. International human rights bodies must be allowed to return immediately to the country to monitor the situation and ensure the government is fulfilling these crucial responsibilities.
“Canada calls for the immediate release of the arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned or detained political candidates, as well as the release of all political prisoners, and an end to the arrest and harassment of the independent media and civil society actors. We remain in close contact with our international partners.
“Canadians in Nicaragua should regularly check our Travel Advice and Advisories page, monitor local news reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
“At any time, Canadians requiring emergency consular assistance can contact the Embassy of Canada to Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua in San José, Costa Rica at +506 2242-4400 or Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa by calling +1 613 996 8885 collect or by sending an email message to sos@international.gc.ca.”
May 26, 2021 | International
“Canada strongly condemns the forced diversion of Ryanair Flight 4978 under false pretenses and the subsequent arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich by Belarus. This reckless, brazen act by the Belarusian regime jeopardized the safety of passengers and constitutes serious interference in the fundamental principles and international rules that ensure civil aviation safety around the world.
May 25, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, today issued the following statement:
“Canada strongly condemns the forced diversion of Ryanair Flight 4978 under false pretenses and the subsequent arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich by Belarus. This reckless, brazen act by the Belarusian regime jeopardized the safety of passengers and constitutes serious interference in the fundamental principles and international rules that ensure civil aviation safety around the world.
“As per Canada’s Safer Skies Initiative, Transport Canada is issuing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advising Canadian air operators and the owners of aircraft registered in Canada to avoid operating at any altitude within Belarusian airspace due to serious safety and security concerns posed to civil aviation operations.
“This shocking action also constitutes a blatant attack on media freedom with serious implications on the rights of freedom of expression. We call on Belarus to release Mr. Protasevich immediately.
“Canada stands in solidarity with our partners in the face of these actions. We are assessing, with like-minded partners, response options that include sanctions to ensure these unacceptable actions have consequences.
“Canada will participate in the urgent meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization Council this week to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this abhorrent transgression.
“We also urge the Government of Belarus to release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained. An impartial investigation of all allegations of torture and other cruel treatment is needed.
“Canada will continue to work with its partners to ensure that the voices of the people of Belarus are heard and to pursue accountability for those responsible for undermining democracy, supressing media freedom and committing human rights violations.”
Allison St-Jean
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
(613) 290-8656
Allison.St-Jean@tc.gc.ca
Apr 22, 2021 | International
SB strongly condemns article published by online media with false and misleading content on Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2020
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With regard to the false and misleading statement of an article published by an online media and disseminated via social media platforms today (April 21) on the provision in the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2020 (the Bill) to empower the Secretary for Security to make regulations in relation to the provision of passenger information by carriers, the Security Bureau (SB) expressed strong condemnation.
The spokesman for the SB said, the proposed enabling provision in the Bill is intended for fulfilling the international obligation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) under the “Convention on International Civil Aviation” with a view to implementing the Advance Passenger Information (API) system. The Government has time and again explained clearly to Legislative Council (LegCo) members and the public on the papers submitted to and in the meetings held with the Bills Committee that such system is intended to require the provision of passenger information on flights heading to Hong Kong, rather than departing flights. The right of Hong Kong residents to enter or leave Hong Kong is not affected. The SB strongly condemned individual organisations’ deliberate dissemination of false information and intentional misinterpretation of the legislative purpose and background of the provision, which attempted to spread rumours, mislead members of the public, as well as smear the legislative process. The SB expressed grave dissatisfaction with the act and it is necessary to rebuke the false claims directly.
The spokesman emphasised, “The SB must condemn the rumour mongers for misleading members of the public with ill intentions and set the record straight.”
The spokesman said, “According to the requirements of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, all members should put in place the API system with legal backing. Based on the relevant requirements, airlines need to provide passenger and crew member information to the Immigration Department before flight departure to Hong Kong. It will only apply to flights heading to Hong Kong. So far, over 90 countries already have the API system in place, including the Member States of the European Union, the United States of America, Canada and Australia.”
Introduction of the API system by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is to enhance international civil aviation safety and also facilitate the immigration authorities around the world to implement more effective control. The Government’s measures to prevent potential non-refoulement claimants from entering Hong Kong will also be strengthened. In fact, the LegCo has all along been following up on matters related to preventing the abuse of the mechanism of non-refoulement claims, including discussion by the Panel on Security on various occasions and the setting up of a special Subcommittee to review various related matters.
The spokesman also pointed out, “According to the general practice, the enabling provisions to be stipulated in the main ordinance are usually crafted in more generic terms, while the subsidiary legislation to be made thereunder will set out the operational details with provisions in more specific terms. The making of relevant regulations will also require the scrutiny and passage by the LegCo again. The Government will fully reflect so and set out relevant operational details in the regulations to be formulated at a later stage. In addition, before the implementation of the system, we will consult the aviation sector and different stakeholders, and it is also necessary to seek funding approval from the Finance Committee of LegCo.”
The spokesman emphasised, “The freedom to travel and the right to enter or leave Hong Kong of Hong Kong residents are guaranteed under Article 31 of the Basic Law. Prior to introducing the Bill into LegCo, the Government has assured that the Bill conforms to the Basic Law, including the provisions on human rights. Accordingly, we do not consider it necessary to spell out in the main ordinance that the proposed authority will not affect the rights of Hong Kong residents and persons with the right to enter and stay in Hong Kong.”
The Bills Committee of the LegCo has already undertaken a detailed review on each provision of the Bill and enquired the Government. Meanwhile, in respect of the background and purpose of the system and the proposed provision, the Government has already addressed the questions from LegCo members and individual organisations in detail. The Second Reading of the Bill will be resumed at the LegCo meeting on April 28. If passed by the LegCo, the amended ordinance will take effect on August 1. The Government will also prepare the relevant subsidiary legislation of the API system, and consult stakeholders and the LegCo in due course.
