📡Guardians of Hong Kong
9.58K subscribers
21.6K photos
1.88K videos
27 files
9.99K links
We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
Facebook: http://bit.ly/BeWaterHongKong
Instagram: @guardiansofhk
Website: https://guardiansofhk.com/
Download Telegram
#CCP #World #InternationalRelations
How ready is China to Communicate with the (Free) World?

On August 12, 2020, China's foreign vice-minister Le Yucheng called for the U.S. and China to resume dialogue, saying there should be no #radiosilence between the two foreign ministries, stressing also, “no matter how difficult and complex the issues may be, they should be put on the table for discussion."

On August 17, 2020, China's ambassador to the United Kingdom Liu Xiaoming blocked Hong Kong Watch founder Benedict Rogers on Twitter.

After all, does China want to communicate with the free world?

Source: @benedictrogers on Twitter

#Aug17 #US #UK #HongKongWatch #BenedictRogers
#BenedictRogers of #HongKongWatch pledges to #StandwithHongKong

//#HongKongers: Today (Sept 28) as I begin my new full-time role as Chief Executive of the organisation I envisioned and co-founded less than 3 yrs ago, Hong Kong Watch, I write this personally as a pledge to you

I'm in this fight for freedom with you—for #HongKong and the world

All the way//

Source: Benedict Rogers's Facebook #Sept28

#FightForFreedom #UAreNotAlone #GlobalSupport
#GlobalSupport #UK #Save12HKYouths
Rally held by Hongkongers in UK calling for attention to youths extradited to China

About 50 people participated in a rally held by Hong Kongers in Manchester on Mid-Autumn Festival (Oct 1, 2020) to call to attention the 12 youths who were arrested and extradited to China, making it the largest gathering in recent times, according to the organiser. Benedict Rogers, founder of the human rights NGO, #HongKongWatch, was also present at the rally for speech.

The rally was held at the Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester at 6pm. Flags and slogans such as “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our times”, “Oct 1 Remembrance Day” were spotted.

Zin, organiser of the event, said some of the participants were Hong Kongers who were exiled to the UK, and some were Hong Kong students from other cities. During the speech, a student from China praised the participants and showed his support towards the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement. A recent immigrant also said he will keep speaking up for Hong Kong because he has the freedom of speech in UK.

Source: Apple Daily #Oct2
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201002/DPWSLBXCRZHZRFCYDNRUDFGDPU/

#Manchester #BenedictRogers
#PoliceState
Human Rights Watchdog on #GrandmaWong's Arrest: Another assault on democracy and free expression in Hong Kong

January 22, 2021 marked the 16th month of the death of 15-year-old pro-democracy student #ChanYinLam.

Flouting National Security Law and social distancing restriction, some citizens continued their monthly remembrance ritual in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong.

'Grandma Wong' Wong Fan-yiu showed up at the scene with several handbills in her hands. She was later arrested on suspicion of obstructing police officer in execution of their duties.

Commenting on the incident, #BenedictRogers, Hong Kong Watch’s Chief Executive said, “The arrest of Grandma Wong, who is one of the most prominent pro-democracy protestors, is the latest assault on democracy and free expression in Hong Kong. It appears it is now a crime for pensioners to hold a protest sign at a pedestrian crossing.”

He urged the Hong Kong Authorities to release Grandma Wong.

Source: Stand News, #Jan22

#HongKongWatch #Arrest
#UKParliament Denies Amendments to Expand #BNO #Visa to Hong Kong Youths

On December 6, 2021, pro-democracy activists - who fled Hong Kong amidst National Security threat and are now residing in UK - gathered outside the government house on Downing Street in London.

The group urged the passage of proposed amendments to the Borders and Nationality Bill to extend the eligibility of BNO visas to cover youngsters in Hong Kong who were bornafter the 1997 Handover.

Initiated by former Deputy Prime Minister #DamianGreen and supported by more than 20 cross-party MPs, the amendment bill aimed to allow those between the ages of 18 to 24 who have at least one parent with BNO status to claim that status in the UK, without being accompanied by their parent.

Several members of the Parliament and high-profile public figures attended the gathering to show their support. They include #AlynSmith MP, #AfzalKhan MP, #NusGhani MP, author and media veteran #EdwardLucas, #HongKongWatch CEO #BenedictRogers and Hong Kong Watch Senior policy advisor #SamGoodman.

Deliberated in the Parliament, the proposed amendment, unfortunately was rejected on December 8, 2021, as UK’s immigration minister #KevinFoster considered the expansion "too broad".

Foster claimed that alternative ways for those ineligibles to apply for BNO include student visa or working holiday.

Source: Harbour of Freedom, #Dec6; Stand News, #Dec8

https://thestandnews.page.link/My2AEzNN2yisKFEG8
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState
Hong Kong Watch, the first overseas organisation accused of National Security Violations

Sources: The Chaser News, HKFP; #Mar14

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32405
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState
Hong Kong Watch, the first overseas organisation accused of National Security Violations

The National Security unit of Hong Kong Police issued letters to the UK-based human rights watchdog, Hong Kong Watch, accusing the organisation's Chief Executive, #BenedictRogers of “collusion with foreign forces”.

The Bureau asked Rogers to remove published contents on #HongKongWatch within 72 hours, threatening him with prison and fines for allegedly breaching the city’s national security law. 

A second letter, dated March 10 and signed by Annette Cheng for the Commissioner of Police, warned Rogers not to disclose details: “You are reminded to keep confidential any information pertaining to the case and not to make any disclosure that may prejudice investigation or other law enforcement action by the Hong Kong Police Force.”

UK Foreign Secretary, #LizTruss said, “The unjustifiable action taken against the UK-based NGO HKW is clearly an attempt to silence those who stand up for human rights in HK.”

She called on the Chinese government and the Hong Kong government to abide by international agreements, to respect and maintain freedom of speech in Hong Kong.

Truss also pointed out that any attempt to silence voices for democracy and freedom around the world is unacceptable and will never succeed.

Read Hong Kong National Security Police's letter to Hong Kong Watch
https://www.hongkongwatch.org/all-posts/2022/3/14/hong-kong-watch-co-founder-and-ceo-benedict-rogers-threatened-under-national-security-law

Sources: The Chaser News, HKFP; #Mar14
https://t.me/the_chaser_news/165
Hong Kong Authorities Accuses UK National Benedict Rogers of Threatening China's National Security

On March 23, 2022, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (#IBAHRI) calls on the international community to suspend extradition treaties with #HongKong.

#BenedictRogers, a British citizen and co-founder of #HongKongWatch received a letter from the Hong Kong #NationalSecurityBureau. In addition, the #HongKongPolice issued a notice to Rogers on 10 March 2022, orderinv him to take down the website of Hong Kong Watch within 72 hours of receipt of the notice.

Hong Kong authorities claimed that the website of the NGO posed a threat to China’s national security.

In a statement, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute warned that "more than 160 people have been arrested and over 50 civil society organisations have been forced to close in Hong Kong since the National Security Law was enacted in June 2020."

While Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, have suspended their extradition agreements with Hong Kong, countries including the Czech Republic, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and Sri Lanka still have an agreement with the Hong Kong government.

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute pointed out that "travelling to these countries poses a threat for human rights defenders who may be targeted with the National Security Laws and extradited to Hong Kong to face charges."

Read the full article:
https://www.ibanet.org/IBAHRI-calls-for-suspension-of-extradition-treaties-with-Hong-Kong

Source: International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute #Mar23

#NationalSecurityLaw #Regime