In Solidarity with HK – 與香港共同體
Dear friends,
My name is Winnie Ng. On behalf of the Toronto Association for Democracy in China (TADC, 多倫多支持中國民運會), I would like to extend our solidarity and support. Even though we have never met, we are very touched by your dedication and determination in defending the rights of Hong Kong citizens. I want to let you know that many Canadians are behind you and Hong Kong.
On July 17, TADC co-hosted a candlelight vigil in front of the Chinese Consulate in Toronto to commemorate Liu Xiaobo. We gave a speech condemning China for imprisoning dissenting voices. To my dismay, a few weeks later, I had to give two speeches, one in English and one in Chinese, in front of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Toronto condemning the Hong Kong government for persecuting and imprisoning you and many other young activists, turning the most passionate hearts, dedicated minds, and conscientious souls in Hong Kong into political prisoners!
Here is part of what I said in my English speech:
“…The Hong Kong government under the clear instruction from Beijing has created the first generation of political prisoners in Hong Kong. To impose such a severe sentencing against students, young people who were exercising their right to assembly and freedom of speech is a blatant violation of the UN international covenant on Human Rights.
Establishing political prisoners in HK is also China’s blunt statement to the world that it deems the international agreement between China & UK on ‘one country, two systems’ null and void, and that the world should not expect China would honor any agreement when it does not suit its political interests and agenda.
The detention and harassment of Canadian journalist from the Globe and Mail, Nathan VanderKlippe on Aug 24, is the most recent incident of the violation of Freedom of Press. It is a clear display of China’s intimidation of the Canadian media – “how dare you report on how we treat minorities in China”.
As Canadians, we are very concerned about Canada’s deafening silence. For the sake of trade and economic growth, human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of press are easily disposable and expandable — pending on the might of the partnering country.
It’s up to us as citizens to hold our Canadian government accountable to the basic principles of democracy, rights and justice not only in Canada but also around the globe…”
And here is what I said in my Chinese speech:
今天我與大家一同站出來，除了是「多倫多支持中國民運會」主席的身分之外，也與大部份在塲的朋友一樣，是以國際公民身分、以為人父母的身份，更以我個人作為大學教師的身份，向香港政府發出強烈的抗議和譴責。
香港向來是一個以廉潔、自由和司法獨立見稱的國際都會。但香港回歸20年來，廉政公署公信力嚴重受損，新聞自由評級屢創新低，現在，就連司法獨立這最後的橋頭堡，亦受到史無前例的破壞！
自2014年雨傘運動以來，香港政府動輒以法律解決政治問題，其中的選擇性執法和窮追猛打的政治檢控，已令香港的執法和司法部門淪為政治工具。今次16位年輕人的案件，一審法院既已判刑，16子亦已經服刑，而且律政署的刑事檢控專員更決定不會尋求刑期復核。可是，律政師袁國強卻打破常規，親自介入，要求上訴庭復核刑期，致令16青年入獄之餘，五年內更失去參與選舉的資格。這種無理的打壓，放在任何一個現代文明的國際社會，都是明明白白的政治迫害。
因此，我們以國際公民的身份，強烈譴責香港政府屈從中國政權的指使，對香港青年進行政治迫害。我們更在此控告中國政府破壞中英聯合聲明有關一國兩制的承諾。並敦促英國和國際社會追究中國違反國際協議的責任。我們以加拿大公民的身份承諾，會繼續督促加拿大政府關注香港民主自由和司法倒退的情況，並在加中外交上為香港發聲。
今次16位為社會公義身陷囹圄的年輕人中，大部分都是剛剛大專畢業，甚至仍然在學的學生。我們為人父母的都應該明白，即使在家裏把孩子教養得再好，如果我們留給下一代的，是一個敗壞的社會、是一套靠屈從和逢迎而上位的遊戲規則，孩子若非輸掉品格，便只能付出更大的代價。
今天，在吞噬核心價值的濁流面前，縱然代價一次比一次沉重，但香港的孩子仍然選擇在風雨中抱緊自由。
作為一位母親，我為他們驕傲！亦為此感到傷心和憤慨！
傷心，因為位卑無權的學子要站出來，是源於身處高位和一眾既得利益者選擇在極權面前下跪叩頭。孩子要以稚嫩的肩頭所一力承擔的一切，正正是上一代未盡的責任！
憤慨，因為對年輕人窮追猛打的、非要置他們入獄為囚不可的，也正正是有責任為下一代守護核心價值的高官、議會、甚至是大學殿堂！
作為一位大學教師，我深明大學是栽培學生的校園，也是守護學生成長的家園。尤其學生為所學之道而挺身而出時，大學當局即使不同意學生，也絕不應主動對學生窮追猛打，置學生的人生與前途之不顧。
香港學生運動自國教事件至雨傘運動以來，在位當權的言論，已由愛護學生的惺惺作態變為嚴懲學生就是體現守法精神的猙獰。
但諷剌的是，香港大學歷來最引以為傲的校友，恰恰是一位名叫孫文的通緝犯。而救他脫離險境的，也正是時任港大醫學院前身的香港西醫學院教授康德黎。
作為加拿大的大學教師，在愛護學生的典範上，我反而想回到中國歷史的大時代，借鑑兩位校長的風範和錚錚風骨！
五四運動期間，北大校長蔡元培雖不贊成學生的示威行動，更曾被學生在集會上噓罵，但北洋政府對學生進行大拘捕時，蔡元培竭力與軍閥周旋，四處冒險奔波，多方營救學生。
而1949 年，台灣發生四六學潮，國民政府大規模逮捕學生，臺大校長傅斯年在軍警進校時，大力保護學生，他跟警備總司令所說的一句話：「若有學生流血，我要跟你拚命！」傳誦至今。
而今天的香港大學，卻是由校方親自報警，並主動提供置學生定罪的口供和証據！
香港學生今天被定罪入獄，將會是歷史把香港當權者釘在恥辱柱上的証據！
The fight for human rights, freedom and democracy has no border. You and your friends are the light and hope of our world, not just of Hong Kong. As a Canadian who is fortunate enough to live in a democratic country, I admire your courage, determination, and selfless sacrifice. It is people like you who will ensure a strong civic society that embraces human rights, freedom and democracy.
Finally, I would like to close with the two following quotes from Dr. Nelson Mandela, the Nobel Peace laureate who spent 27 years in prison for dreaming and fighting for a South Africa freed of apartheid:
“In my country you go to prison first and then you become the President.”
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up”
— Nelson Mandela
Take good care my dear friends and Dream on!
In peace and solidarity,
Winnie Ng
Chair, Toronto Association for Democracy in China 多倫多支持中國民運會