Group protests over treatment of journalists held in Vancouver

The Journalists Association has filed a protest with the Canadian Government over the detention of two journalists by Vancouver police on May 27 when covering the stay of a Hong Kong actress in hospital. Lai Chi-fai from Oriental Daily News and Lam Nam from the Sun were handcuffed, strip-searched and accused of working without a visa, the association said. The pair were released after being held for 40 hours and had returned to Hong Kong.

The heavy-handed approach by police was 'unnecessary and unreasonable', the statement said, adding: 'We believe the Vancouver Police Department has grossly violated the basic human rights of the two Hong Kong journalists.' In a letter to the Canadian Consulate-General dated June 3, the association said it hoped the consulate would relay its concern to the Canadian Government.