#LukedePulford: UK's Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to 'Prosecute' Beijing Loyalist #JuniusHo and Remove him from the UK Solicitors Register

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (#SRA), a licensing body that regulates solicitors in England and Wales, has taken action and scheduled a hearing of Junius Ho's case in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

With the latest news from SRA, Hong Kong Watch's fellow Luke de Pulford commented that "people who spout hate, incite violence and encourage authoritarianism have no place practising law in the UK."

In October 2019, Anglia Ruskin University (#ARU) in the UK has revoked Ho's honorary degree citing Ho's conduct and public behaviour as a concern. This came after Ho's alleged connection with the white-clad assailants in Yuen Long 7.21 triad attack on train passengers, reporters and pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong in 2019.

Source: Luke de Pulford's Twitter #Sept23
https://twitter.com/lukedepulford/status/1308789185705381888?s=09

#StandwithHongKong

#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

#NationalSecurityLaw #CCTVB

CCTVB fired and threatened Director citing the National Security Law

Since Hong Kong implemented the National Security Law, white terror has been spreading throughout society. A scene in the daily sit-com series “Lo and Behold” broadcasted by CCTVB [see note] on 9 Sep 2020 surprisingly showed the “Five-One” [five demands not one less] movement gesture - two yellow washing gloves in the shot, one glove with the middle finger pointing down for “one” and the other glove showing all “five”, lasting for 14 seconds. It was rumoured that this incident came about because of one playful actor in the series. He made one the yellow gloves “hold the middle finger” gesture, other actors were also laughing about it. Nobody in the scene was aware it would look like the “five-one” gesture. Someone stated that CCTVB realised it was unintentional after investigating, but management still insisted on pressuring the responsible Director of that scene, Justin, to resign.

An insider stated that: “Justin had been working at TVB for 8 years, the Company did not want to compensate for his long service, so they pushed him to tender the resignation, and threatened to report Justin to the police on possible violation of the National Security Law if he did not resign by himself.” As Justin “resigned” on his own, he was not only unable to take the long service compensation by statutory regulation, he also did not get the payment in lieu of notice for breach of employment contract. The insider stated that: “The Company had already waived Justin’s compensation of three month notice payment in lieu based on Justin’s resignation. The fact is that someone in the Company oppressed the employee to “save money”, but distorted it as “kindness” in disguise, which is a typical case of “the big stone crushing a crab” [a Chinese proverb], to the dismay of many.

Editor’s Note :
CCTVB is a portmanteau of CCTV (China Central Television) and the Hong Kong-based TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited). The combined acronym is used to convey TVB's pro-China bias.

Source: Apple Daily, #Sep16

Translated by: Hong Kong Echo

https://hk.appledaily.com/entertainment/20200916/XQUTHSNQINESNNZAYKX4GJD4RQ/

#StandWithHongKong #Japan
Hundreds March in Tokyo in Support of Hongkongers' Pursuit of Democracy

On October 3, 2020, two marches took place in Tokyo, Japan in support of Hongkongers' year-long pro-democracy movement.

The march that took place in the Ikebukuro district was joined by hundreds of Japanese and Hongkongers in Japan. Many participants waved the "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times" flags. The staue of Lady Liberty of Hong Kong was also mobilized in the march.

Another march took place in the evening in Shinjuku.

Source: Stand News #Oct3
https://www.facebook.com/710476795704610/posts/3519530891465839/

#Newspaper

Xinhua News criticised forced closure of Confucius Institutes as political persecution

(28 Sep) Xinhua News Agency published a commentary stating that forced closure of Confucius Institutes was a form of political persecution. The article indicated that anti-China politicians from the US were unable to see the good in others and were intolerant of other cultures. Wielding their big stick [policy] of political oppression against Confucius Institutes that promote Chinese culture, it lambasted, was "isolationist rhetoric" possessed by "McCarthyism". There was no cure to pursuing political self-interest in lieu of virtue and suppressive paranoid delusions.

The article also pointed out that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent threat to shut down all Confucius Institutes in higher education institutions by the end of this year constituted further defamation and suppression. It stated that Confucius Institutes adopted a collaborative method of operations; it was the US universities that voluntarily applied for their establishment according to their own needs, based on "mutual respect, friendly negotiation and mutual benefit". Its operations and management were open and transparent, [it claimed,] strictly complying with local laws and university administration standards. Statistics show that the US currently has 81 Confucius Institutes.

Source: RTHK News, #Sep28

Translated by: Hong Kong Echo

#Xinhua #PoliticalPersecution

#StandWithHongKong and #StandWithThailand : Global Call for Freedom and Democracy

In Hong Kong, the slogans #StandWithThailand and #Save12HKYouths appeared on the road in Kornhill, Taikoo.

The slogans voiced support for the pro-democracy protests currently taking place in Thailand and raised concern over Chinese authorities' detention of 12 pro-democracy Hongkongers in China for over 50 days and counting.

Source: Stand News #Oct18
https://www.facebook.com/710476795704610/posts/3566163960135865/

#SaveThailand #Thailand #Whatshappeninginthailand
#ปล่อยเพื่อนเรา
#หยุดคุกคามประชาชน #HongKong #MilkTeaAlliance

=======
Italian Activists #RadicaliItaliani Call on the World to #Save12 Pro-democracy Hongkongers Detained in China
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25977

Climate Activist #GretaThunberg Supports Hong Kong
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/26039

#StandWithThailand
Thai Police Shows Three-finger Salute to Civilians in Support of Freedom and Democracy

Pro-democracy protests in Thailand have entered the fifth day on October 18, 2020. Many scenes in Thailand recalled the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong: the supply chain formed by the gathering public; rallies that were initiated by the public and took place in different areas; the public which took turn to speak up for the leaderless movement; and the 'red sea' moment when protesters gave way to ambulances.

According to the report by The Matter (twitter@thematterco), the public rallying at Victory Monument in Bangkok chanted "Hong Kong is a country! Return independence to Hong Kong!". It was reported that on Oct 18, 2020, over 10,000 civilians protested in the area.

Moreover, AFP journalist Mladen Antov captured a Thai police showing the pro-democracy three-figure salute to the protesters. The photo has gone viral on the Internet. Many contrasted it with a photo of the Hong Kong police but showing the middle finger to the pro-democracy protesters during the 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Movement in Hong Kong.

According to Thai Enquirer, a former police officer told the public he resigned as he did not want to cause harm to any civilian. He also reminded his former colleagues that the duty of the police is to serve the public.

In Chiang Mai, university students held rally and expressed that in case the students in Bangkok cannot hold out, they would continue the fight.

Netizens initiated rallies in over 20 locations including Pathumtani and Nonthabur outside of the capital.

Photo: Mladen Antov @ AFP
Source: Stand News #Oct18
https://bit.ly/3dEnC8F

#Whatshappeninginthailand #MilkTeaAlliance #Thailand

======
#StandWithHongKong and #StandWithThailand : Global Call for Freedom and Democracy
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/26065

#Kowtow
China's CCTV said the NBA continued to Release Goodwill after the Suspension, Rebroadcasting from Tomorrow

NBA Team Houston Rockets Director Daryl Morey supported Hong Kong democracy on Twitter, causing dissatisfaction from China. At that time, CCTV announced that they would stop broadcasting events and “would investigate all cooperation and exchanges involving the NBA”. After a year, CCTV indicated today that they would rebroadcast NBA from tomorrow (10th October). The spokesperson stated that he noted NBA continued to show their goodwill, including “expressed holiday blessings to Chinese fans” on National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival and “Put active efforts in areas including supporting the Chinese people to fight COVID-19 pandemic”.

CCTV stated today (9th October), “Basketball has a broad mass base and viewing demand in China”. As a result, the CCTV Sports Channel would resume broadcasting the NBA competitions as “normal broadcast arrangement” on the morning of 10th October, Hong Kong time. The NBA 19/20 season has reached the finals, and it would be the fifth game by the time of rebroadcasting. For the time being, Los Angeles Lakers led the Miami Heat with 3:1 games, only one victory away from the championship.

The NBA team Houston Rockets Director Daryl Morey posted a “Stand with Hong Kong” photo on Twitter, indicating his support for Hong Kong democracy. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver showed his support for Morey to exercise freedom of speech. CCTV first announced the suspension on broadcasting the competitions of Houston Rockets, then issued a statement about the immediate ban for NBA preseason broadcasting and would investigate all NBA-related cooperation and exchanges.

Source: Stand News #Oct09

https://bit.ly/37f45KR

#China #NBA #DarylMorey #HoustonRockets #LosAngelesLakers #MiamiHeat #CCTV #HongKong #HKdemocracy #StandWithHongKong

#HongKongProtests
500 Days of Fight and Ongoing

It has been more than a year since the Anti-Extradition Law Movement btoke out in Hong Kong in 2019.

The Stand News has hosted 2,787 live broadcasts during countless protests, capturing the moments when its reporter was assaulted by the white-clad mobsters at Yuen Long 7.21 triad attack; when the seize of Chinese University of Hong Kong (#CUHK) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (#PolyU) traumatuzed many; and when Hongkongers were in solidarity chanting and singing protest slogans and songs at playgrounds, shopping malls and on the streets.

The Stand News created a digital archive of all the live broadcasts which covered these 500 days of protests, all starting with 1.03 million Hongkongers took it to the street on June 9, 2019.

As the exiled Czech writer Milan Kundera once said, "The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting."

Source: Stand News #Oct22

#NeverForget #NeverForgive #StandwithHongkong #FightForFreedom

#DieWelt #HongKongProtest
#JoshuaWong Tells German Press: Not Expecting a Fair Trial, but Jailing Will Not Stop Hong Kong's Democracy Movement

Joshua Wong gave a written interview with the German press Die Welt while in solitary confinement, as he awaits his sentencing.

He said that he has long lost faith in Hong Kong's judicial system, and does not expect that a fair trial will take place

He says that it was difficult to sleep in his cell, since they kept his lights on 24 hours a day; however, compared to the 12 Hongkongers detained in China, he considered his charges to be relatively minor.

Wong said that he was placed in solitary confinement and not allowed to leave his single-person cell to meet with other inmates or exercise outside.

The lights in his cell were on 24 hours a day, and he could only sleep by covering his eyes with his face mask.

He further said he felt like a dissident in China, and that China is a threat to freedom across the world: "Everyone, including universities, journalists, and companies, are all being forced to adhere to Chinese standards."

Wong stressed that even if he, ex-Demosisto chairperson Ivan Lam, and ex-member Agnes Chow were all sentenced to jail, Hong Kong's democracy movement would not be stopped.

Source: Stand News #Nov27
Original: Die Welt #Nov27

https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article221122984/Joshua-Wong-China-bedroht-die-Freiheit-der-Welt.html

#Jail #PoliticalPrisoner #PoliceState #StandWithHongKong #AgnesChow #IvanLam

#FreedomofSpeech #StandWithMorey
NBA's Morey is defiant in his support to Hong Kong democracy

In October 2019, NBA team Houston Rockets Director #DarylMorey posted a “#StandwithHongKong” photo on Twitter to show his ardent support for Hong Kong democracy.

Not only did his belief in freedom of speech triggered a storm of intense political dispute, it also almost jeopardized his career in #NBA.

In an interview with Apple Daily published on Dec 23, 2020, Morey expressed that he came to understand Hong Kong’s predicament from his EMBA classmates. He decided to show his support to Hong Kong on Twitter.

When being asked whether he regrets his action, Morey paused for a few seconds and responded, “I am comfortable with what I have done.”

Although Morey didn’t regret showing his support to pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, he was concerned about the safety of his wife and his children. “I have been dreadfully worried. I was lucky to have many people offering me assistance to handle this incident. If possible, you won’t want to antagonize the world’s second strongest country … .” Morey said.

Source: Apple Daily #Dec23

https://hk.appledaily.com/sports/20201223/G6EENEKQFFECLDQKFA2NXHBIMQ/

#Interview

#Court #818Rally #PoliticalPersecution
German Parliament Member: We should not give up on Hong Kong democracy advocates

In Hong Kong, a number of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong were accused of "organising and participating in the an assembly at Victoria Park on August 18, 2019 during the Anti-ELAB movement.

Among them were Lee Chu-Ming, Founding Chairman of the Democratic Party; Margaret Ng Ngoi-Yee, barrister and ex-Legislative Councillor; and Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, Founder of Apple Daily. They were charged of "oganising and taking part in an unauthorised assembly". The trial began in court on Feb 16, 2021.

In Germany, #GydeJensen, the youngest female member of the #GermanParliament, showed support for the pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. She uploaded photos of her holding up a sign which said “WE STAND WITH HONGKONG”. She also mentioned that she had made motion in the parliament, urging #Germany and the #EU to show more concern on human rights issues.

Jensen stated that the prosecution of the pro-democracy figures was undoubtedly a political one, and was part of Xi Jinping’s plan to silence the democratic movement in Hong Kong, so that Hong Kong people would give up their hope on freedom and democracy.

Jensen warns that the agenda also applied to the international level. She stressed that international figures could not let themselves get numbed by Hong Kong’s current situation, nor give up on Hong Kong’s democratic advocates.

Source: Stand News #Feb17

#GlobalSupport #JimmyLai #MargaretNg #StandWithHongKong #InternationalSociety

#FirstHand #Court
Granny Wong and hundreds of Hongkongers show support pro-democracy activists outside of the court

1040 | West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, Hong Kong

On the day of the court hearing, hundreds of Hongkongers showed up to voice support for the pro-democracy activists outside of the court.

By 10:00am, Granny Wong was seen outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts along with hundreds of pro-democracy supporters.

In addition to her familiar yellow umbrella and British flag, Granny Wong displayed hand-made light boxes that read, “#FightforFreedom", "#StandwithHongKong" and "#StandwithMyanmar".

#FirstHand #March1 #Court #PoliticalPrisoners #YNWA

#FirstHand #Court #Mar1
Determined and Unafraid: Pro-democracy Hongkongers in Solidarity Rally Outside of the Court

1330 | West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, Hong Kong

Half of the day has gone by, hundreds of pro-democracy Hong Kong citizens, continued to rally outside the Court to show support and respect to the 47 democrats facing National Security accusation.

Many showed up in black to express discontentment to the Government's crackdown of dissenting voices, they chanted “Hongkongers #AddOil” [a Cantonese slang meaning "Hang on], along the way as well as “Release all political prisoners” and “#StandwithHongKong”.

#Solidarity #HongKongProtests #NeverGiveUp #PoliticalPrisoner #YNWA

#FirstHand #Mar1 #GoHKInterview
Pro-democracy Activist #FigoChan: I Am Sure We Won't Give Up

Watch Video:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28860

Figo Chan (陳皓桓), activist and convener of the organization Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF), spoke to our reporter on March 1, 2021 outside West Kowloon magistrates court regarding the hearing of 47 pro-democracy candidates.

The group was charged with "conspiracy to commit subversion" under the #NationalSecurityLaw. The court is currently in session and Figo Chan believes that “it will take a long time since there are quite a number of accused, if each of their lawyers shall speak, it will definitely take until the afternoon.”

Chan said that “I am sure the supporters who are queueing in front of the court right now and those who are not here at the moment will not give up. I hope that we will all continue to persist and speak out."

He added, "Even though the government has restricted us from going on protests and rallies, we still found a way to queue up and vocally support those inside; the government has stopped us from voting, yet we found a way to “vote” with our presence by coming out here.”

“I believe those in court, in jail and those who might be charged and sentenced in the future will persist, so we shouldn’t give up on hope, I am sure it will be okay if we all stand strong on what we believe.”

When asked about his thoughts on whether the accused may be granted bail, Chan replied saying that “I really don’t know how to evaluate the situation right now since Hong Kong has become so absurd. Even organizing an unofficial primary poll can be considered to be a conspiracy to commit subversion, and it seems that the chances of them being granted bail are slim."

"I know that the world can get more and more absurd each day , but as long as we, the people, remain logical and stand strong on what we believe is right, I think it will be okay.”

Chan was also asked whether he has anything he would like to say to Hong Kong supporters overseas. “I know that the Hong Kong citizens who have moved abroad and the overseas supporters must be feeling very powerless and hopeless right now. They must be sad because of how their home has become."

"But I want to emphasize that there are still a lot of people in Hong Kong who are still persisting on, many of us who are still here haven't given up yet. It doesn’t matter where you are, as long as we all continue to speak out for freedom and democracy, we will be able to get the democracy we fight for."

"If we can speak out for the citizens in Myanmar, in turn, those in other countries can definitely support those in Hong Kong. So I believe we must all stand strong, persist, and never give up,” said Figo Chan.

Source: First Hand

====
More first-hand interview of the day:

"Jail First, Trial Later": Ex-Lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan in Hong Kong Blasts National Security Trial for Lack of Due Process

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28864


#Interview #Court #PoliticalPersecution #NeverGiveUp #HongkongersVoices #StandWithHongKong #StandwithMyanmar
#FightforFreedom

British Asia-Pacific Minister: UK Sanctions Chinese officials for Xinjiang Issue but How About Hong Kong Officials?

The protest organisation “Stand with Hong Kong” held an online roundtable meeting with UK Labour Party on Mar 24 to discuss its role in the Hong Kong issue. Stephen Kinnock, the Labour Party shadow minister, asked why the UK government had not sanctioned Hong Kong officials yet while sanctions had already put on related China officials. Recently, some public opinions question whether UK judges should still serve in Hong Kong judiciary institutions. Kinnock believes “the time of UK judges serving Hong Kong should be ended”.

The meeting was hosted by Siobhain McDonagh, the Labour Party Congressman. Stephen Kinnock, the shadow Asia-Pacific State Affairs Minister, Francis, representatives of “Stand with Hong Kong”, and Ted Hui, the former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council who exiled to Australia, spoke in turn.

Source : Stand News #Mar26

https://bit.ly/3vrSnWl

#UK #LabourParty #StandwithHongKong #OnlineMeeting #StephenKinnock #TedHui #sanctions

Australian Foreign Minister: Stand with those who care about freedom of the press 
 
The 26-year-old Hong Kong “Apple Daily” was forced to cease operations on 24 June,2021 due to the freezing of many senior executives and assets. This has drawn many foreign countries’ attention.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne indicated through the post, “Sith the closure of the Apple Daily, Australia stands with those raising legitimate concerns about the future of press freedoms in Hong Kong. She especially mentioned those attentions are legitimate.  
 
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has posted on Twitter and demonstrated the concern at the arrest of journalists from Apple Daily. The impact will have on freedom of expression in Hong Kong, as provided in the Basic Law underpinned by the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Since the closure of Apple Daily, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne retweeted the post of DFAT, and posted to indicate, Australia will stand with the people who care about freedom of press.  
 
Source: Stand News #Jun25 
 
 https://bit.ly/3zpeuyD

#AppleDaily #FreedomOfPress #FreedomOfSpeech #Australia #HongKong #China #CCP #Democracy #BasicLaw #JointDeclaration #DFAT #Twitter #StandWithHongKong