Hong Kong’s National Security Law targets 19 overseas activists—including Canadians tied to the “Hong Kong Parliament”—amid global backlash over transnational repression and legal risks to 15,000+ participants.

By Probe International

Hong Kong authorities have escalated their global crackdown on dissent, targeting 19 overseas pro-democracy activists—including several based in Canada—with arrest warrants and financial bounties under the city’s draconian National Security Law (NSL).

The move targets the largest group yet under the law for their involvement in organizing or participating as candidates in unofficial elections related to the “Hong Kong Parliament,” a global democratic initiative established in Canada three years ago. Inspired by the Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE), the Hong Kong Parliament aimed to offer a growing diaspora a democratic body to represent them, regardless of location, as China pursued its relentless attack on political freedoms in the former British colony.

Charged with the offense of subversion under Article 22 of the security law, Hong Kong’s national security police claim the 19 activists listed as fugitives had attempted to overthrow state power through unlawful means, including advocating self-determination and drafting an illegal constitution. [See: Persons Wanted for Suspected Contravention of Hong Kong National Security Law].

Police have issued a HK$1 million bounty for four key figures, all of whom have been previously targeted by Hong Kong authorities, including businessman and commentator Elmer Yuen, journalist Victor Ho, and activists Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. A bounty of HK$200,000 each has been issued for the remaining 15. This marks the third round of international bounties issued by Hong Kong since 2023, bringing the total wanted under the security law to 34.

The Hong Kong dragnet, however, stretches beyond the 19 activists named and could extend to as many as 15,000+ individuals. Lai Ting-yiu, deputy publisher of the Hong Kong-based Bastille Post, writes a senior political insider told him people who participated in the Hong Kong Parliament’s online elections as voters—as well as donors, tech supporters, and campaign staff associated with the initiative—all could now face potential prosecution under NSL Articles 22 and 23 for subversion.

During a Facebook Live broadcast, Elmer Yuen framed Hong Kong’s crackdown as inadvertently boosting visibility for the resistance movement, quipping the police campaign had helped “advertise” the cause. Fellow bounty-targeted activist Sasha Gong, a U.S. citizen who published an essay on the experience, condemned Hong Kong’s descent into a “police state” and vowed to escalate her case to U.S. authorities and Congress.

In the case of initiative organizer Victor Ho, a Canadian citizen who has lived in Vancouver for the past 25 years, Hong Kong authorities have pursued the Richmond-based media veteran on three occasions: first under Beijing’s 2020 national security law, again in December 2024, and most recently last week. Mr. Ho, who testified before the Hogue Commission on foreign interference in Canada, warned politicians advocating closer ties with China to recognize the CCP’s repression.

In a text message to The Canadian Press, Mr. Ho said he was not surprised by the new warrant and said it would help” to draw more attention for (the) international community to realize that the transnational repression of (China) is so toxic and dangerous to normal people on exercising freedom of expression and speech.”

Speaking to the Vancouver Sun, Mr. Ho dismissed the label of fugitive:

“I never ran away. I was just living here in Canada. I’ve been a Chinese Canadian for over 20 years. I’m purely Canadian; never again a Hong Kong Chinese or Chinese Hong Konger. … I’m just exercis(ing) my freedom of speech on Canadian soil. … I’m living here. Not scared, not threatened. I have no fear of that bounty. This is very legitimate for a Hong Kong people overseas to try to exercise the democratic rights organized to participate in the election without fear.”

Other people targeted by the bounties living in Canada include Tony Lam, Keung Ka-Wai, and Else Chan Lai-chun. Ms. Chan, a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist granted refugee status in Canada, said on Sunday that the arrest warrant and bounties against her only strengthened her resolve to act.

Meanwhile, Mr. Keung, who is seeking asylum in Canada after arriving four months ago, has faced nine arrests and two jail terms totaling one year in Hong Kong. As president of the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union—a group advocating for the region’s autonomy—and a member of the Hong Kong Parliament, he remains undeterred. “I have no regrets” and will “press on for Hong Kong’s democracy and freedom.”

In the wake of Friday’s development, former ambassador David Mulroney criticized Canadian premiers’ push for warmer China relations as “dangerously irresponsible” amid ongoing harassment of dissidents. Ottawa also flagged coordinated online campaigns amplifying the bounties, targeting Chinese-speaking communities via inauthentic accounts, underscoring concerns over Beijing’s influence operations.

The U.K.’s Sunday Times urges vigilance against Beijing’s efforts to intimidate exiles and the need to protect those who have sought refuge from China’s escalating campaign of transnational repression. The Sunday Times notes Britain has been home to more than 150,000 Hong Kongers since 2020 with activists there facing similar threats of warrants for arrest and bounties, including 19-year-old Chloe Cheung for protests she joined at 14 and the imprisonment of media mogul Jimmy Lai, a British citizen held in solitary confinement for over four years.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper have forcefully condemned China’s actions as “transnational repression,” pledging unwavering support for Hong Kongers, including those now residing in Britain. Their commitment to severing extradition ties with Hong Kong aligns with legal experts’ warnings that treaty adjustments risk enabling backdoor extraditions—a loophole that must be firmly closed to prevent Beijing from exploiting its authoritarian tactics abroad.

China’s aggressive maneuvers to silence dissent globally cannot go unchallenged.

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