A coalition of rights groups is urging Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly to impose targeted sanctions on key Hong Kong officials responsible for issuing bounties on pro-democracy activists in exile and fuelling Beijing’s transnational repression.


“This illustrates the extent of the transnational repression and extraterritorial overreach by the Hong Kong government. These actions, which criminalize dissent and intimidate individuals abroad, demand a strong response from Canada,” VSSDM Chair Edmund Leung wrote in the letter.
The Hong Kong officials named by the VSSDM as perpetrators of these repressive actions include:
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Paul Lam Ting-kwok, secretary for justice, who signed an order mandating the trial of 47 pro-democracy activists without a jury, which VSSDM said undermines Hong Kong’s longstanding commitment to jury trials.
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Chris Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security, who invoked the controversial “Safeguarding National Security Ordinance,” imposing special measures against former pro-democracy lawmakers and activists, including travel bans, asset freezes, and passport cancellations.
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Raymond Siu Chak-yee, commissioner of police, who led the Hong Kong Police in offering the HK$1 million (approximately CA$185,000) bounties for the capture of activists abroad and using the national security law to pursue exiled political dissidents.
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Andrew Kan Kai-yan, deputy commissioner of police, who authorized the freezing of bank accounts belonging to the six activists and issued public warnings against supporting them financially.
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Steve Li Kwai-wah, chief superintendent of the National Security Department, who accused the six wanted individuals of engaging in activities endangering national security, which VSSDM said exemplifies “the misuse of the NSL to suppress dissent abroad.”
- John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of Hong Kong, whose administration implemented the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in 2024 under Hong Kong’s Basic Law Article 23 and facilitated arbitrary arrests and the erosion of fundamental freedoms, according to VSSDM.

Under the Magnitsky Act, Canada can impose targeted sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on foreign officials found to be complicit in significant human rights abuses or corruption. VSSDM also urged Ottawa to collaborate with international allies to hold these individuals accountable and strengthen the global call for justice.
“The actions of these officials constitute a direct attack on the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Canada has a moral and legal obligation to respond decisively. By imposing these sanctions, Canada will send a strong message to the world that it stands firmly against human rights abuses and authoritarian overreach,” the group said.