Act quickly on refugee claims, asylum seekers who housed Edward Snowden urge Canadian government
Applications filed in Hong Kong were rejected by Immigration Department on Thursday
The group that sheltered the former NSA contractor comprises four adults and three stateless children: Vanessa Mae Rodel from the Philippines, who has a daughter, aged 4; Ajith Pushpakumara, a former soldier from Sri Lanka; and a family from the same country – Supun Thilina Kellapatha, his wife Nadeeka Dilrukshi Nonis and their two children.
Marc-André Séguin, one of the lawyers involved in the application in Canada, arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday. He told the Post that the Hong Kong government’s decisions reflected the city’s “grossly unfair procedures”.
He called on the Canadian government to “trigger an expedited process” and to “complete their applications quickly”.
“Given these rejections, the refugees are now more vulnerable than ever and in urgent need of protection,” the Montreal-based lawyer said, describing Canada as their “last hope”.
It has been made clear to us that the (immigration) minister recognises the urgency and seriousness of this matter