HONG KONG—This past Sunday, some 800,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Hong Kong to mark the six-month anniversary of protests. As the day came to a close, protesters held up their mobile phone screens in a show of unity, lighting the sky as they chanted anti-government slogans.

For the protesters, the past several weeks have been heady. On Nov. 25, pro-democracy candidates swept Hong Kong’s district council elections. Days later, the United States enacted the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which calls upon the president to sanction foreign officials who are violating internationally recognized human rights in Hong Kong. On Thanksgiving Day, thousands of Hong Kongers rallied to show their gratitude toward the American people and Congress.

The events of the past month demonstrate that Hong Kong’s protesters aren’t going anywhere. They will continue to march for freedom so long as the Beijing and Hong Kong governments refuse to countenance reform.

Both of us have worked closely on Hong Kong policy: Preston in his former capacity as policy adviser to MP Erin O’Toole, and Dennis as a pro-democracy lawmaker on Hong Kong’s legislative council. Over the past months, Dennis has seen first-hand the power and impact of international support.

The free world must continue to support the Hong Kong people as they fight against authoritarianism. Strong action from the United States and other Western countries proves to Hong Kongers that the Chinese and Hong Kong governments stand condemned in the court of international opinion.

Thus far, however, the Canadian government has refrained from taking a bold stand. This should come as a surprise, for Canada’s national interests are deeply implicated in Hong Kong. More Canadian citizens live in Hong Kong than in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, and P.E.I. combined. Moreover, as a country that believes firmly in the rule of law, Canada cannot stand idly by as Hong Kong and Chinese officials commit human rights abuses.

Since the protests first broke out in June, Hong Kong and Chinese officials have acted without restraint. Hong Kong police have brutally beaten protesters and shot rubber bullets into peaceful crowds. A former employee of the British consulate in Hong Kong has alleged that Chinese officials tortured him after accusing him of being a British spy. The Hong Kong government has refused to mount an investigation into police brutality, and instead seems set on continuing its policies of repression and abuse.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed his concern about the situation in Hong Kong, calling on local authorities to listen “to the very serious concerns brought forward by Chinese citizens.” But Canada must address Chinese abuses in a more direct and forceful fashion. Of course, as a middle power with limited economic leverage, Canada cannot hope to dissuade Beijing from its current course of action. That shouldn’t matter. Speaking up loudly on human rights is important because it shows the world what it means to be Canadian.

The Canadian government now has an opportunity to take a strong stand on Hong Kong. In the coming days, the senate will debate a motion that calls upon the government to impose Magnitsky sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials. The Magnitsky Act, formally known as the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, allows the Canadian government to take “restrictive measures in respect of foreign nationals responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.” Moreover, the House will debate a Conservative motion calling for the formation of a special committee to examine and review all aspects of the Canada-China relationship. The implication is that opposition MPs want Ottawa to change its China policy.

Both motions should pass. Passage of the Senate motion in particular would demonstrate to the Hong Kong protesters that Canada holds to its values, even when confronting a country as powerful and vicious as China. Passage of that motion would also signal support for Canada’s allies. Australia’s Parliament recently revived its plan to enact a global Magnitsky Act in light of consistent Chinese interference in Australian politics. It is now Canada’s turn to step up to the plate.

Cong Peiwu, China’s ambassador in Ottawa, has threatened retaliation for any attempt to replicate the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. There is no doubt that Beijing will react furiously if the Senate motion passes. Canadian policymakers should realize that they will pay a price for defying Beijing. But if they need inspiration, they need only look to Hong Kong, where brave protesters, young and old, rich and poor, continue to face violence, torture and detention, as they march for freedom.

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Dennis Kwok is a member of the Hong Kong legislative council, representing the Legal functional constituency, and is a founding member of the Civic Party.Preston Lim is a J.D. candidate at Yale Law School. He served as policy adviser to MP Erin O'Toole.

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