LGBT Pride Parade banned first time in 10 years
Every year, the Hong Kong Pride Parade Organizing Committee would organize LGBT marches in Hong Kong Island during the end of the year. Same as the last 9 years, the parade is proposed to take the same route and same regulation from Victoria Park to Edinburgh Square, where an assembly would be held.
However, the parade was banned this year for no reason, causing an outcry from the committee and the LGBT community. Committee members said even though they submitted the proposal in April, the Police Force didn’t give their reply until Mid-October.
And when they asked them for suggestions for the parade in order to ensure that the march can still be held, the Police Force gave vague and indirect answers.
The committee condemned the force for their attitude and neglection of the basic human right for assembly.
#FreedomofExpression #HumanRights #Demonstration
Source: Hong Kong Pride
https://hkpride.net/hk/
Every year, the Hong Kong Pride Parade Organizing Committee would organize LGBT marches in Hong Kong Island during the end of the year. Same as the last 9 years, the parade is proposed to take the same route and same regulation from Victoria Park to Edinburgh Square, where an assembly would be held.
However, the parade was banned this year for no reason, causing an outcry from the committee and the LGBT community. Committee members said even though they submitted the proposal in April, the Police Force didn’t give their reply until Mid-October.
And when they asked them for suggestions for the parade in order to ensure that the march can still be held, the Police Force gave vague and indirect answers.
The committee condemned the force for their attitude and neglection of the basic human right for assembly.
#FreedomofExpression #HumanRights #Demonstration
Source: Hong Kong Pride
https://hkpride.net/hk/
#FreedomOfExpression
Hong Kong Singer-songwriter Anthony Wong Denounces National Security Law: Using Art to Recall Life Will Become a Crime
Anthony Yiu-ming Wong criticized China for ignoring the opinions of Hong Kong people and directly enacting the Hong Kong version of the "National Security Law". He lamented that "remembering history or life with music, text, images, or artwork will one day become a crime."
Editor's note: Anthony Wong Yiu Ming (Chinese: 黃耀明; born 16 June 1962) is a Hong Kong singer, songwriter, actor, record producer and activist. His song Criminal Remembrance (回憶有罪) commemorates the Tiananmen Massacre.
Source: Inmedia
#May28 #AnthonyWong #DatMingPair #TiananmenMassacre
Hong Kong Singer-songwriter Anthony Wong Denounces National Security Law: Using Art to Recall Life Will Become a Crime
Anthony Yiu-ming Wong criticized China for ignoring the opinions of Hong Kong people and directly enacting the Hong Kong version of the "National Security Law". He lamented that "remembering history or life with music, text, images, or artwork will one day become a crime."
Editor's note: Anthony Wong Yiu Ming (Chinese: 黃耀明; born 16 June 1962) is a Hong Kong singer, songwriter, actor, record producer and activist. His song Criminal Remembrance (回憶有罪) commemorates the Tiananmen Massacre.
Source: Inmedia
#May28 #AnthonyWong #DatMingPair #TiananmenMassacre
YouTube
達明一派《回憶有罪》官方MV
達明一派 回憶有罪
舊日或問天 怎允許摧毀信念
浩蕩像為了 被懷念
現在別問他 可有膽公開紀念
被現實騎劫 怎怨天
如燭光都有罪 將暗黑多幾十年
如傷疤都有靈 未變臉
回憶即使有罪 真相怎麼敢無言
歷史假使有人 定被發現
現在若問他 可悔當天走太前
道路腐壞了 不敢涉險
現在若問我 怎會這麼想紀念
烈焰幻滅過 總有煙
如燭光都有罪 將暗黑多幾十年
如傷疤都有靈 未變臉
回憶即使有罪 真相怎麼敢無言
歷史假使有人 定被發現
皇天不必答辯 只怕蒼生肯忘言
后土不知冷熱 生滅無念
歷史只懂向前…
舊日或問天 怎允許摧毀信念
浩蕩像為了 被懷念
現在別問他 可有膽公開紀念
被現實騎劫 怎怨天
如燭光都有罪 將暗黑多幾十年
如傷疤都有靈 未變臉
回憶即使有罪 真相怎麼敢無言
歷史假使有人 定被發現
現在若問他 可悔當天走太前
道路腐壞了 不敢涉險
現在若問我 怎會這麼想紀念
烈焰幻滅過 總有煙
如燭光都有罪 將暗黑多幾十年
如傷疤都有靈 未變臉
回憶即使有罪 真相怎麼敢無言
歷史假使有人 定被發現
皇天不必答辯 只怕蒼生肯忘言
后土不知冷熱 生滅無念
歷史只懂向前…
#FreedomOfExpression
Statue artist couldn’t believe University-initiated disturbances are oppressing his freedom of expression
Students of Hong Kong Polytechnic University produced and exhibited a series of plaster statues of HK protesters. Without informing the student union, the school took away these plaster statues and some statues were severely damaged.
Statue artist, Ben was furious and is considering of seeking redress through civil claims or small claims tribunal from the school. He said, “I am fully aware of potential disturbances from people with opposing political stances. Similar incidences happened to the Lennon Wall built on campus. However, I couldn’t believe that these troubles actually came from inside the University.”
Source: inmedia.net #Jun16
#FailedState #HKProtests #Censorship #WhiteTerror
Statue artist couldn’t believe University-initiated disturbances are oppressing his freedom of expression
Students of Hong Kong Polytechnic University produced and exhibited a series of plaster statues of HK protesters. Without informing the student union, the school took away these plaster statues and some statues were severely damaged.
Statue artist, Ben was furious and is considering of seeking redress through civil claims or small claims tribunal from the school. He said, “I am fully aware of potential disturbances from people with opposing political stances. Similar incidences happened to the Lennon Wall built on campus. However, I couldn’t believe that these troubles actually came from inside the University.”
Source: inmedia.net #Jun16
#FailedState #HKProtests #Censorship #WhiteTerror
Latest pro-democracy initiative crushed in retail sector
On Wednesday (June 16), a retail chain of kids’ wear erected a 2-meter tall Lady Liberty Hong Kong statue in its shop located in Discovery Park shopping mall, which was owned by New World Development, one of the pro-China megacorporations in Hong Kong.
The next day, management office of the shopping mall issued a letter to the shop requesting the removal of the statue, claiming that decoration for a “first class shopping center” should fulfill certain requirements and the statue is apparently not related to the shop’s retail business. While the pro-Beijing camp leaders called for their supporters to lodge complaints against the retail chain.
Source: Stand News #Jun17
#FailedState #FreedomofExpression #LadyLiberty
On Wednesday (June 16), a retail chain of kids’ wear erected a 2-meter tall Lady Liberty Hong Kong statue in its shop located in Discovery Park shopping mall, which was owned by New World Development, one of the pro-China megacorporations in Hong Kong.
The next day, management office of the shopping mall issued a letter to the shop requesting the removal of the statue, claiming that decoration for a “first class shopping center” should fulfill certain requirements and the statue is apparently not related to the shop’s retail business. While the pro-Beijing camp leaders called for their supporters to lodge complaints against the retail chain.
Source: Stand News #Jun17
#FailedState #FreedomofExpression #LadyLiberty
Amnesty International Calling to End Violence on Journalists
Belarus has had a series of protests and clashes between civilians and police. Journalists have been arrested, beaten, targeted with rubber bullets while covering police crackdown on protests. Some had their cameras smashed. Amnesty International released a statement on August 12 to call for Belarusian authority to stop attacking journalists.
Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office Director, said, “ Journalists in Belarus are doing heroic work to ensure the world knows about the authorities’ brutal repression of protests. It is horrifying to see the lengths to which the government will go to suppress this information - attacking reporters with batons and rubber bullets, destroying their equipment, and throwing dozens in jail.”
Struthers continued, “Journalists are being attacked for exposing the crimes committed by the Belarusian authorities against their own people, in a blatant isolation of the right to freedom of expression. The government has even disabled the internet to prevent people from sharing information. As unprecedented numbers of people continue to take to the streets in Belarus, it is essential that press freedom is protected and that no one is harmed simply for doing their job.”
Amnesty International's statement on August 12: Amnesty International calls on the Belarusian authorities to respect media and to immediately and unconditionally release journalists detained solely for fulfilling their professional duties. They must also release all peaceful activists detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. They must end reprisals against peaceful protesters, and investigate acts of unlawful force by police.
Source: Apple News #Aug15, Amnesty International #Aug12
#Belarus #Belarus2020 #AmnestyInternational #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression
Belarus has had a series of protests and clashes between civilians and police. Journalists have been arrested, beaten, targeted with rubber bullets while covering police crackdown on protests. Some had their cameras smashed. Amnesty International released a statement on August 12 to call for Belarusian authority to stop attacking journalists.
Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office Director, said, “ Journalists in Belarus are doing heroic work to ensure the world knows about the authorities’ brutal repression of protests. It is horrifying to see the lengths to which the government will go to suppress this information - attacking reporters with batons and rubber bullets, destroying their equipment, and throwing dozens in jail.”
Struthers continued, “Journalists are being attacked for exposing the crimes committed by the Belarusian authorities against their own people, in a blatant isolation of the right to freedom of expression. The government has even disabled the internet to prevent people from sharing information. As unprecedented numbers of people continue to take to the streets in Belarus, it is essential that press freedom is protected and that no one is harmed simply for doing their job.”
Amnesty International's statement on August 12: Amnesty International calls on the Belarusian authorities to respect media and to immediately and unconditionally release journalists detained solely for fulfilling their professional duties. They must also release all peaceful activists detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. They must end reprisals against peaceful protesters, and investigate acts of unlawful force by police.
Source: Apple News #Aug15, Amnesty International #Aug12
#Belarus #Belarus2020 #AmnestyInternational #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression
#AsiasFinest #Unfreedom
HK Police asks rally organizer to follow theme park's entrance practice and hand in names of rally participants
The Hong Kong police has recently banned the application made by the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) for a protest on October 1, 2020, a public holiday in Hong Kong for the Lantern Festival as well as PRC's national day.
The CHRF has filed for an appeal, but the appeal board upheld the police's decision to ban what would have been Hong Kong's largest authorised protest in months.
The board said that a rally on National Day could put public health at risk despite social distancing measures proposed by the organizer, such as asking marchers to wear masks and walk in groups of no more than four.
Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, Convenor of CHRF, further revealed that, during their negotiation with Hong Kong Police, the Force cited Ocean Park’s entrance policy as a reference, requesting rally organizer to collect participants’ names and hand them to the Police to identify the source of potential disturbances.
Sham was concerned that this is another attempt of the government to silence Hong Kong citizens, removing their freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
Source: Apple Daily #Sept29
#WhiteTerror #FreedomofExpression
#FreedomofDemonstration
#PoliticalOppression
#NationalDay
HK Police asks rally organizer to follow theme park's entrance practice and hand in names of rally participants
The Hong Kong police has recently banned the application made by the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) for a protest on October 1, 2020, a public holiday in Hong Kong for the Lantern Festival as well as PRC's national day.
The CHRF has filed for an appeal, but the appeal board upheld the police's decision to ban what would have been Hong Kong's largest authorised protest in months.
The board said that a rally on National Day could put public health at risk despite social distancing measures proposed by the organizer, such as asking marchers to wear masks and walk in groups of no more than four.
Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, Convenor of CHRF, further revealed that, during their negotiation with Hong Kong Police, the Force cited Ocean Park’s entrance policy as a reference, requesting rally organizer to collect participants’ names and hand them to the Police to identify the source of potential disturbances.
Sham was concerned that this is another attempt of the government to silence Hong Kong citizens, removing their freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
Source: Apple Daily #Sept29
#WhiteTerror #FreedomofExpression
#FreedomofDemonstration
#PoliticalOppression
#NationalDay
#Unfreedom #Oppression
Civil servants warned to refrain from partaking in pro-democracy rallies rejected by HK Police
The Hong Kong police has recently banned the application made by the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) for a protest on October 1, 2020, a public holiday in Hong Kong for the Lantern Festival as well as PRC's national day.
A day ahead of now-banned-rally, Civil Service Secretary Patrick Nip Tak-kuen urged civil servants not to take part in any unauthorised assemblies during the mid-autumn and National Day festivities.
In a letter sent to civil servants on September 30, Nip said that as of the end of September, 46 civil servants have been suspended for either getting arrested for taking part in illegal public activities, or being under police investigation, or being prosecuted.
He said the government attaches great importance to the conduct of civil servants, and have zero tolerance for those who violate the law.
Source: RTHK #Sept30
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1552429-20200930.htm?spTabChangeable=0
#FreedomofExpression
======
Related News
HK Police asks rally organizer to follow theme park's entrance practice and hand in names of rally participants
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25613
Civil servants warned to refrain from partaking in pro-democracy rallies rejected by HK Police
The Hong Kong police has recently banned the application made by the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) for a protest on October 1, 2020, a public holiday in Hong Kong for the Lantern Festival as well as PRC's national day.
A day ahead of now-banned-rally, Civil Service Secretary Patrick Nip Tak-kuen urged civil servants not to take part in any unauthorised assemblies during the mid-autumn and National Day festivities.
In a letter sent to civil servants on September 30, Nip said that as of the end of September, 46 civil servants have been suspended for either getting arrested for taking part in illegal public activities, or being under police investigation, or being prosecuted.
He said the government attaches great importance to the conduct of civil servants, and have zero tolerance for those who violate the law.
Source: RTHK #Sept30
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1552429-20200930.htm?spTabChangeable=0
#FreedomofExpression
======
Related News
HK Police asks rally organizer to follow theme park's entrance practice and hand in names of rally participants
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25613
news.rthk.hk
46公僕被捕需停職 聶德權籲勿參與違規活動
公務員事務局局長聶德權說，截至本月底，有46名公務員因涉嫌參與非法公眾活動被捕，現時正接受警方調查或正被起訴，他們全部已被停職。 聶德權向全體公務員發信表示，政府極為重視公務員的品行操守，對違法公務員是零容忍，亦絕不姑息。而網上充斥不少扭曲不實的信息，鼓動市民參與非法遊行，聶德權相信公務員都能明辨是非，奉公守法，遵守《公務員守則》訂定的操守準則。 聶德權又說，疫情未「斷尾」或會有所反覆，在假期期間防疫意識不能鬆懈，外出時要做好各項防疫措施，切忌參與任何可能違反禁止群組聚集相關規例的活動。
#WhiteTerror #Regime
Hong Kong Authorities Charge Pro-democracy Radio Host for
"Acting with a Seditious Intention"
#Giggs, a radio host in Hong Kong, was charged with four counts of "acting with a seditious intention" for an online programme he hosted between August and October 2020.
Despite the fact that the alleged offences fall outside the #NationalSecurityLaw, the case was handled by the national security office in Hong Kong.
National Security Judge and chief magistrate #VictorSo said the court didn't have sufficient grounds to believe that Giggs, will not re-offend if granted bail.
The authorities accused Giggs of intending to "bring hatred or contempt against" the Chinese and the Hong Kong SAR governments and inciting Hong Kong people to "revolt like the Ukrainian" which forced their "Chief Executive to self-exile". The vocal radio host was also criticized for showing support for the primary election of the pro-democracy game and "encouraging citizens to attend illegal assembly".
The authorities also condemned Giggs for regarding Hong Kong and Mongolia as independent entities, distorting the national flag and the Chinese authorities in his comments.
The case was adjourned to May 10, 2020 awaiting further police investigation.
Source: InMediaHK.net; #Feb10
https://bit.ly/3jIVHYw
Related article:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28553
#RadioHost #FreeSpeech #FreedomofExpression #Sedition #Court #Censorship
Hong Kong Authorities Charge Pro-democracy Radio Host for
"Acting with a Seditious Intention"
#Giggs, a radio host in Hong Kong, was charged with four counts of "acting with a seditious intention" for an online programme he hosted between August and October 2020.
Despite the fact that the alleged offences fall outside the #NationalSecurityLaw, the case was handled by the national security office in Hong Kong.
National Security Judge and chief magistrate #VictorSo said the court didn't have sufficient grounds to believe that Giggs, will not re-offend if granted bail.
The authorities accused Giggs of intending to "bring hatred or contempt against" the Chinese and the Hong Kong SAR governments and inciting Hong Kong people to "revolt like the Ukrainian" which forced their "Chief Executive to self-exile". The vocal radio host was also criticized for showing support for the primary election of the pro-democracy game and "encouraging citizens to attend illegal assembly".
The authorities also condemned Giggs for regarding Hong Kong and Mongolia as independent entities, distorting the national flag and the Chinese authorities in his comments.
The case was adjourned to May 10, 2020 awaiting further police investigation.
Source: InMediaHK.net; #Feb10
https://bit.ly/3jIVHYw
Related article:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28553
#RadioHost #FreeSpeech #FreedomofExpression #Sedition #Court #Censorship
#WhiteTerror
Razor Wire on #University Campus Stifles Freedom of Expression and Endangers Animals: "Management had Turned It Into a Prison"
A teaching staff at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) discovered that razor wire loops have been installed on the hillside of the campus.
In a Facebook post, the staff member noted that the razor wire is deployed next to a staircase that is part of the main walking path between two campus buildings, and wildlife has been frequently observed roaming through the area.
The staircase is well protected by railings, and is nowhere near the campus boundaries, so the wires offer little protection in terms of security or safety.
However, the hillside had been a favorite spot for displaying banners and flags in the past. The razor wires would seriously hamper the university's freedom of expression, the staff member noted, in addition to becoming a deathtrap for animals that live on the hillside: "Our beautiful campus was built by free-spirited youths over generations, but the management had turned it into a prison."
The CUHK #StudentUnion shares the same concerns in a statement on June 21, 2021 criticizing the move for being "clearly contrary to CUHK's values and beliefs, and blatantly disregards the safety of animals". It also criticized CUHK Property Management for not having consulted the staff and students before installing the razor wire, and had demanded its removal as soon as possible.
Source:
CUHK Student Union
Chan Yin Ha Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chan.Yin.Ha/posts/10160394007282323
#FreedomOfExpression #CUHK #PoliceState #AnimalRights
Razor Wire on #University Campus Stifles Freedom of Expression and Endangers Animals: "Management had Turned It Into a Prison"
A teaching staff at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) discovered that razor wire loops have been installed on the hillside of the campus.
In a Facebook post, the staff member noted that the razor wire is deployed next to a staircase that is part of the main walking path between two campus buildings, and wildlife has been frequently observed roaming through the area.
The staircase is well protected by railings, and is nowhere near the campus boundaries, so the wires offer little protection in terms of security or safety.
However, the hillside had been a favorite spot for displaying banners and flags in the past. The razor wires would seriously hamper the university's freedom of expression, the staff member noted, in addition to becoming a deathtrap for animals that live on the hillside: "Our beautiful campus was built by free-spirited youths over generations, but the management had turned it into a prison."
The CUHK #StudentUnion shares the same concerns in a statement on June 21, 2021 criticizing the move for being "clearly contrary to CUHK's values and beliefs, and blatantly disregards the safety of animals". It also criticized CUHK Property Management for not having consulted the staff and students before installing the razor wire, and had demanded its removal as soon as possible.
Source:
CUHK Student Union
Chan Yin Ha Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chan.Yin.Ha/posts/10160394007282323
#FreedomOfExpression #CUHK #PoliceState #AnimalRights
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#Art #Freedom
Italian city defies China bid to scrap dissident's art show
An Italian city is going ahead with plans to host an art exhibition by a Chinese dissident despite a request from China's embassy to cancel it.
The show, called "China is (not) near," is due to run from November 13 to February 13, 2021 in the northern Italian city of Brescia.
The exhibition by #Badiucao, a cartoonist also known as "The Chinese Banksy", is expected to denounce Chinese political repression and censorship of information on the COVID pandemic.
Brescia Mayor #EmilioDelBono told local press that his office would not comply with a request from the Chinese embassy in Italy to scrap it.
He said the friendship between the Italian and Chinese people "is not in question", but "I think it is important to show that you can stay friends while criticising some things".
The deputy mayor, #LauraCastelletti, earlier tweeted that "For us art and freedom of expression are an essential combination".
#Italy #FreedomOfExpression
Source: Stand News, #Oct23 https://thestandnews.page.link/PHgLpzQ5HDsT9fKR8
Italian city defies China bid to scrap dissident's art show
An Italian city is going ahead with plans to host an art exhibition by a Chinese dissident despite a request from China's embassy to cancel it.
The show, called "China is (not) near," is due to run from November 13 to February 13, 2021 in the northern Italian city of Brescia.
The exhibition by #Badiucao, a cartoonist also known as "The Chinese Banksy", is expected to denounce Chinese political repression and censorship of information on the COVID pandemic.
Brescia Mayor #EmilioDelBono told local press that his office would not comply with a request from the Chinese embassy in Italy to scrap it.
He said the friendship between the Italian and Chinese people "is not in question", but "I think it is important to show that you can stay friends while criticising some things".
The deputy mayor, #LauraCastelletti, earlier tweeted that "For us art and freedom of expression are an essential combination".
#Italy #FreedomOfExpression
Source: Stand News, #Oct23 https://thestandnews.page.link/PHgLpzQ5HDsT9fKR8
#Oppression
Self-exiled Hong Kong democrat faces four more court charges
#TedHui, a self-exiled democrat and former Hong Kong legislator, wrote on his Facebook page on October 23 that the Hong Kong authorities have charged him with four counts of contempt of court. Hui was summoned for a court hearing on 31 January 2022.
In response to the new charges, Hui denounced the Hong Kong courts as “contemptible.”
He says that his contempt for the city's justice system fit the dictionary definition of the term, regarding it as something “lowly, insignificant, worthless or disgusting so as to despise it.”
He added that the authorities’ repeated accusations against him did not in any way undermine his personal freedom and #FreedomOfExpression at the international level.
Source: Stand News; #Oct23
https://thestandnews.page.link/VKFuMGPdm65K7L1Y9
Self-exiled Hong Kong democrat faces four more court charges
#TedHui, a self-exiled democrat and former Hong Kong legislator, wrote on his Facebook page on October 23 that the Hong Kong authorities have charged him with four counts of contempt of court. Hui was summoned for a court hearing on 31 January 2022.
In response to the new charges, Hui denounced the Hong Kong courts as “contemptible.”
He says that his contempt for the city's justice system fit the dictionary definition of the term, regarding it as something “lowly, insignificant, worthless or disgusting so as to despise it.”
He added that the authorities’ repeated accusations against him did not in any way undermine his personal freedom and #FreedomOfExpression at the international level.
Source: Stand News; #Oct23
https://thestandnews.page.link/VKFuMGPdm65K7L1Y9