Robert Tibbo

Robert Tibbo is a Canadian barrister-at-law based in Hong Kong, who is known for his work in the areas of human rights, judicial review, and constitutional law. Tibbo's practice also includes criminal trial and appellate work as well as commercial and contract law. He worked on the notable case of Edward Snowden during the latter's brief stay in Hong Kong. In addition, Robert Tibbo serves as a director of Vision First, an NGO that provides assistance to asylum seekers in Hong Kong.
Early life
Robert Tibbo was born and raised in the city of Montreal in Quebec, Canada. In 1988, Robert Tibbo earned a degree in chemical engineering from McGill University in Canada, before moving to Asia. After learning Mandarin Chinese in the 1990s, Tibbo worked in the energy and chemical industries in Australia and parts of Asia, including Hong Kong, Thailand and other Asian countries. While working on agriculture related projects in Yunnan in the People's Republic of China, Tibbo noticed the situation of refugees removed from cities and sent to work in agriculture. In 1999, Tibbo started law school at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, studying under professor of constitutional law, Grant Huscroft, appointed to the Court of Appeal in Ontario, Canada in December 2014. Tibbo also studied under the late professor Mike Taggart, renowned for his teaching and academic work in public law.
Cases
Edward Snowden
Working with solicitor Jonathan Man, Tibbo served as Snowden's legal representative in Hong Kong, and "played a major role in getting Edward Snowden out of" the city. Tibbo advised Snowden to leave the hotel in which he was hiding as arrangements had been made for him to attend the UNHCR. During this time, "US officials reportedly asked about the possibility of Snowden's extradition from Hong Kong." Robert Tibbo confirmed that "Snowden left Hong Kong through legal, legitimate means and the proper immigration channels" on 23 June 2013. Robert Tibbo refused to provide any information regarding Edward Snowden's carer during that time.
Concerning allegations that Snowden passed information to Russian and Chinese intelligence services, Tibbo has stated these were "false", further confirming that "There was no possibility of interception". He further stated that Snowden took no data with him when he left Hong Kong. Only Tibbo and Man had any knowledge of Snowden's whereabouts in the city at that time and Tibbo saw Snowden off when he left Hong Kong for Russia, Tibbo confirmed. "There was no data in a cloud. He passed the data on to the journalists and that was it. Any actual copy he had with him was destroyed , precisely to avoid it from being seized or intercepted."
Robert Tibbo stated that he took the case of Edward Snowden on a pro bono basis.
Julia Tolmie, an associate professor of law at the University of Auckland has written:
Robert Tibbo appeared in the Academy Award winning documentary film Citizenfour, directed by Laura Poitras, which details the case of Edward Snowden. In addition, the barrister was interviewed and appeared in the documentary film Snowden's Great Escape.
Comment on Erwiana Sulistyaningsih
Robert Tibbo serves as the legal advisor to Hong Kong Helpers Campaign, an NGO addressing issues affecting migrant groups present in Hong Kong. He stated that Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, an Indonesian maid who was reportedly abused by her employer in Hong Kong, had "grounds for suing the government for failing to provide her with proper protection", explaining that:
Robert Tibbo then commented on the legislative framework in Hong Kong, in light of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih's case:
Social advocacy
Hong Kong Democracy Occupy Central Protests
In relation to the Occupy Central democracy 2014 Hong Kong protests, Tibbo has stated that the Hong Kong government was fundamentally at fault. He has stated that the government is at fault when the public feels it is necessary to take to the streets. Tibbo observed that "The Hong Kong government operates on the philosophy and strategy of projecting authority over the population without listening, and thus fails to understand the needs, wants and goals of the people. This is a top-down approach that is at odds with the whole concept of a democracy." He has stated that the Hong Kong government by "Controlling, as opposed to empowering people, is inconsistent with democracy and ultimately is the root cause of discord and disharmony in society. It is also the cause of the abuse of vulnerable groups in Hong Kong." Robert Tibbo takes the view that the Occupy Central protests were an example of the Hong Kong people exercising their right to freedom of expression in the form of civil disobedience. He stated: "Civil disobedience is part of the democratic process and typically occurs when the government fails to act in the interests of its constituency and fails or refuses to be accountable for its acts. The Occupy protests are an example of this civil disobedience, where stakeholders in society took non-violent, conscientious steps in exercising their right to freedom of expression in seeking actual universal suffrage in Hong Kong."
Vision First
Robert Tibbo serves as a director of Vision First, an NGO that helps asylum seekers in Hong Kong. Vision First provides humanitarian assistance and advocacy in support of these individuals. In particular Vision First has addressed housing, food security and education issues that continues to threaten the health and welfare of the refugees and children. Tibbo has stated:
Hong Kong Helper's Campaign
Robert Tibbo is the legal advisor to Hong Kong Helper's Campaign, an organization that addresses issues that impact migrant groups present in Hong Kong.

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