PRESS RELEASE: CFHK Foundation and Jeremy Balfour MSP host first-ever event for Hong Kongers in the Scottish Parliament
16 November 2022 – Yesterday, the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation (CFHK Foundation) and Jeremy Balfour MSP hosted the first-ever event for Hong Kongers in the Scottish Parliament. The event was attended by over 50 Hong Kongers who travelled to Holyrood from all over Scotland to tell elected officials about the issues they have faced since settling in Scotland. A cross-party group of over 12 Members of the Scottish Parliament – including Jackie Baillie MSP, Tess White MSP, Rachael Hamilton MSP, Sharon Dowey MSP, Pam Gosal MSP, Alexander Stewart MSP, Sandesh Gulhane MSP, Paul Sweeney MSP, Foysol Choudhury MSP, Daniel Johnson MSP, Beatrice Wishart MSP and Ross Greer MSP – were shocked to hear that many Hong Kongers still face harassment and intimidation from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Scotland. Issues raised during the event included fearing for their safety due to the Chinese police station which has been operating in Glasgow and terrorization from CCP members while peacefully protesting in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Many Hong Kongers also said they had had difficulty accessing social and civic services, such as education and health. CFHK Foundation and Jeremy Balfour MSP will be organizing events where Hong Kongers in Scotland can come and speak to MSPs at the Scottish Parliament several times a year, in an attempt to strengthen relations between those who have settled in Scotland and their elected officials. It is hoped that events like this will ensure support for Hong Kongers in Scotland is strengthened and provide them with a safe space to voice any concerns they may have. CFHK Foundation President, Mark Clifford, said: “This is the first time CFHK Foundation has organized a session for Hong Kongers to voice their concerns to their elected officials in the UK. It was great to see some 50 Hong Kongers in attendance and we are grateful to the cross-party MSPs who came to listen to both their experiences and concerns. “It is simply ridiculous that many Hong Kongers do not feel completely safe after they have moved to Scotland, a free and democratic country. The Scottish Government must step up to ensure that the reach of the CCP does not infiltrate Scottish society. “We’d like to thank Jeremy Balfour and his office for working with us to organize the event, and we look forward to hosting many more together in the future.” Jeremy Balfour MSP, said:
“It is of the utmost importance that elected representatives have an opportunity to engage with members of the Hong Kong community here in Scotland. Last night provided an forum in which Hong Kongers could be honest with MSPs, providing them with compelling testimony about what it is really like for them moving to and living in Scotland. It was great that there was cross party support for the event. “The Scottish Parliament must be vocal in its support of Hong Kongers and ensure that their voices are heard at every level of Government. It was an honour to be involved in last night’s event and I look forward to continuing our constructive work together going forward.”
About the CFHK Foundation The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world. For more information, please contact: media@thecfhk.org www.thecfhk.org @thecfhk