Rights Group Alarmed by UBC’s Hosting of Hong Kong Government Recruitment Exam on Anti-Democratic Law

A notice for a government recruitment exam and a test on Hong Kong’s Basic Law and national security law is seen at the University of British Columbia's Robson Square campus in downtown Vancouver on Dec. 7, 2024. A human rights group has criticized the university for renting space to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office for the test, as the national security law has been used by Beijing to erode freedoms in Hong Kong. The Epoch Times

A human rights group is protesting the University of British Columbia’s decision to host a recruitment exam for the Hong Kong government, which included a test on a controversial law used by Beijing to tighten control and suppress freedoms in the city.

On Dec. 7, staff of The Epoch Times Chinese edition found that a room at UBC’s Robson Square campus in downtown Vancouver had been rented to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office for the government recruitment exam, a portion of which was on Hong Kong’s national security law.

In a letter sent to UBC on Dec. 22, the Chinese Canadian Concern Group on the Chinese Communist Party’s Human Rights Violations voiced “serious objections” to the university’s decision, noting that the national security law is a “draconian tool of repression that has devastated human rights” in the city and “threatens global democracy.”

“Allowing such activities on Canadian soil poses a serious threat to Canada’s national security and values,” the organization said in the letter reviewed by The Epoch Times.

Hong Kong’s national security law criminalizes “secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign force.” The Canadian government has described the law’s “broad definitions” of crimes as means to “undermine rights and freedoms.” After the law’s passage in June 2020, Ottawa responded by offering immigration pathways for Hongkongers.

A notice for a Hong Kong government recruitment exam was posted on the door of a room at the University of British Columbia's Robson Square campus in downtown Vancouver on Dec. 7, 2024. The exam included a portion on Hong Kong's national security law, which has been criticized as a tool used by Beijing to erode freedoms in the city. The Epoch Times

Kurt Heinrich, executive director of media relations for UBC, said the university’s decision to rent space to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office is in line with its space rental policy, which requires compliance with laws and regulations. He noted that, to the university’s knowledge, the event held on Dec. 7 did not violate any laws, regulations, or UBC policies, adding that those concerned about the event should contact the Hong Kong office.

“It is important to note that UBC does not endorse the activities, views, or positions of external groups renting its spaces. The university’s role in such situations is limited to the administration of space rentals and ensuring compliance with established policies,” he said in a Dec. 27 statement emailed to The Epoch Times.

The Chinese Canadian Concern Group had been invited to provide testimony to the Foreign Interference Commission, which is investigating Beijing’s meddling in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 federal elections. In a Nov. 4 submission to the commission, the group warned that the Chinese communist regime “closely monitors and attempts to exercise control over diaspora communities” by infiltrating local community groups, private businesses, and academic institutions.

Suppression of Freedom

The passage of the Hong Kong national security law followed months of pro-democracy protests against Beijing’s growing control over the city. Hong Kong, a former British colony, was promised a high degree of autonomy and civil liberties for 50 years when it was handed back to China in 1997.

Hong Kong authorities have used the national security law to shut down several pro-democracy news outlets. This includes the June 2021 closure of Apple Daily and the December 2021 shutdown of Stand News, both critical of Beijing. Many activists, journalists, and political figures have been arrested and charged under the law’s broad provisions regarding subversion, secession, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces.

The law has also been used by Hong Kong authorities to issue arrest warrants and bounties for pro-democracy activists who have fled abroad, including to Canada.

On Dec. 24, Hong Kong authorities issued arrest warrants for six activists and offered a reward of HK$1 million (roughly C$185,000) for any information that could lead to their capture. Among them were two Canadians: Victor Ho, a veteran journalist, and Joseph Tay, founder of the advocacy platform HongKonger Station and current Conservative Party candidate for the Ontario riding of Markham-Unionville.

In July 2023, Hong Kong police issued arrest warrants and bounties under the national security law for eight other democracy activists who had fled Hong Kong. Among them was Dennis Kwok, a former Hong Kong politician born in Canada. In their latest move on Dec. 24, Hong Kong authorities ordered the cancellation of passports for seven “absconders,” including Kwok.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a Dec. 24 statement that Canada “deplores” the decision by Hong Kong authorities to issue international bounties and revoke the passports of democracy activists and former Hong Kong lawmakers.

“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,” she said.