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
“Three weeks ago, we were told that the full files were delivered from Canada to the Canadian consulate in Hong Kong,” the lawyer said.
A week ago, the Canadian authorities communicated with Séguin and the rest of the legal team working on the case.
“While we cannot comment on the specifics, it has been made clear to us that the (immigration) minister recognises the urgency and seriousness of this matter,” he said.
In November, three lawyers based in Montreal, including Séguin, set up an NGO in Quebec named For the Refugees to support the asylum seekers who helped Snowden. The organisation has thus far collected more than US$100,000 (HK$779,279) in donations.
In support of the case, Human Rights Watch said in a statement on Monday: “Canada has the opportunity to prevent a terrible outcome and should act immediately.”
Robert Tibbo, the asylum seekers’ local lawyer, said he was “confident” that the Canadian government would “fully assess the merits of the case and come with their own decision irrespective of the Hong Kong decision”.
An emotional Rodel said she hoped Canada would take them in.
“I hope the Canadian government can help us and that we can be resettled there soon, so we can all be safe,” she said.
