21 September 2023 – This week, the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation (CFHK Foundation) facilitated an event in the Scottish Parliament for Hongkongers which was hosted by Jeremy Balfour MSP. This is the second time that Hongkongers have been invited to the Scottish Parliament to meet directly with parliamentarians to share the struggles they have faced since relocating to Scotland. This meeting was also attended by a representative of Police Scotland who is responsible for ensuring the safety of all new migrants and ethnic minorities across Scotland.
In the session, Hongkongers raised the challenges they have faced settling in Scotland and how they continue to feel under attack by the Chinese Communist Party in several cities. The Hongkongers briefed Superintendent Christine Boyd on the ongoing threat of illegal Chinese police stations as well as from Confucius Institutes that continue to operate in Scottish universities.
The CFHK Foundation also met with several members of the Scottish Parliament to discuss the case of British citizen Jimmy Lai as he approaches 1,000 days in Hong Kong prison and Chinese interference in Scottish politics and civil society.
Jeremy Balfour MSP said:
“This is the second time I have hosted a group of Hongkongers who have settled in Scotland and it is vital that they feel safe and welcome in whichever city they choose to live. I'm delighted that Police Scotland came to meet the Hongkongers directly and hear the challenges they face at the hands of China and the Chinese Communist Party on Scottish soil. I will continue to do everything I can to fight for those who are under attack from authoritarian states and to help the Hong Kong community in Scotland.”
Mark Sabah, UK and EU Director of the CFHK Foundation, said:
“I was delighted to help organise this important event in the Scottish Parliament. It is vital that Scottish parliamentarians hear directly from Hongkongers about the ongoing persecution they face from the Chinese Communist Party even after settling in Scotland. I am glad Police Scotland was represented at this gathering, and I hope this is the first step on the path to greater scrutiny on the nefarious role of the Chinese Communist Party across Scotland, especially on campuses and through intimidation from illegal police stations and mainland Chinese operatives.”
Comments