Canada has been ‘dragging its feet’, Human Rights Watch says as it calls on minister to accept asylum seekers who housed Edward Snowden
Group of seven refugees who helped former NSA contractor in Hong Kong may face deportation as appeal cases in city have yet to make headway
An international NGO advocating human rights has accused Canada of ‘dragging its feet’ in accepting seven asylum seekers who helped American whistle-blower Edward Snowden in Hong Kong and sent a letter to the country’s immigration minister.
The move from Human Rights Watch came as the hearing for an appeal filed against Hong Kong’s Immigration Department by one of the refugees is set to begin on Monday.
“Canada has been dragging its feet on these applications, apparently waiting out the protracted legal process, and likely rejection by Hong Kong, and the psychological toll on these poor people has been enormous,” said Dinah PoKempner, general counsel at Human Rights Watch.