📡Guardians of Hong Kong
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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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#HKNEA
HK News Executives' Association Expresses No Objection and Asks Police to Provide Details of the Media Registration System

Formed by a group of senior management representatives in the media industry, the Hong Kong News Executives' Association (#NEA) expressed "strong concern" over the Police’s unilateral amendment of the definition of “media representatives” in the Police General Orders.

The police's amendment will limit media representatives to only those registered in the Government News & Media Information System (#GNMIS), or those holding identity proof issued by the "renown and recognised non-local press agencies, newspapers, magazines, TV stations and radio stations", according to the police's letter issued on September 22, 2020.

Over 48 online news outlets and 8 press unions, including Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) and Hong Kong Press Photographers Association (#HKPPA) had issued joint statements and demanded the withdrawal of the amendment.

However, the News Executives Association asked the Hong Kong Police Force to provide details of the new registration system in order to ease media concern, although it also stated that press freedom should not be curbed.

[Editor’s note:

Established in 1986, the Hong Kong News Executives' Association (http://www.nea.org.hk/eng/html) was formed by news executives of Hong Kong's major media organizations, including chief editors, deputy chief editors, news editors and deputy news editors.

The Association's incumbent chairlady is Cheung Sou-wen, who is Deputy Director of the News and Public Affairs Division of the Commercial Radio. Tammy Tam Wai-yee, Editor-in-Chief of South China Morning Post is the Association's vice-chair.

Claiming a membership of 100 media executives, the Association wrote on its website its mandate to "safeguard and promote freedom of the press" among others.]

Source: Stand News #Sept22
#PoliceState #PressFreedom #License

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Joint Statement by Over 48 Online News Outlets, Sept 22, 2020: "We Will Keep Reporting: A Petition Against Police-determined Media Whitelists"

https://www.facebook.com/2406628919558580/posts/2793962724158529/

8 Press Associations and Unions in Hong Kong Call On HK Police to Withdraw Unilateral Revision of "Media Representative"

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25450
#Save12HKYouths
1 Month Since China Captures and Detains 12 Hongkongers, Authorities Force 5 Lawyers to Withdraw

Source: Save 12 Hong Kong Youths Concern Group #Sept22

Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25464
#Save12HKYouths
1 Month Since China Captures and Detains 12 Hongkongers, Authorities Force 5 Lawyers to Withdraw

Since China Coast Guard arrested 12 Hongkongers in the waters on August 23, 2020, neither their families, nor their lawyers were allowed to meet with them. The distressed families lamented they could not know if their love ones are still alive and that the Hong Kong Government did not provide any effective assistance.

See Timeline:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25411

So far, 5 lawyers appointed by the families had dropped the case after being pressurized by Chinese authorities and law society in China. The Chinese government insisted on assigning their own lawyers to the detainees.

On September 20, 2020, one lawyer employed by a detainee's family received a phone call from PRC's Justice Bureau. On the phone, he was asked if he was handling a case that involved 12 Hongkongers. After the lawyer admitted it, the voice asked to meet him in person 2 days later.

On 21 Sept, the lawyer received another call from PRC's Justice Bureau and a request for his client’s name. After a while, his law firm received a call checking if they were handling a case about illegal border transgression.

In the end, the Chinese authorities ordered the lawyer to withdraw the case as it "involved political matters".

Indeed, the lawyer had just completed the notarization procedure and was mailing related document to Chinese authorities. It was suspected that the Chinese authorities had traced his identity and requested to meet In person after knowing that his notarization was done in Hong Kong.

As his client is underage, the detainee couldn’t 'hire' any lawyer and should be represented by the one his family entrusted.

On September 22, it turned out that the head of the Bureau of Justice, the head of a substation and a Chief Legal Officer were all there to meet the lawyer. They all asked him to drop the case.

The lawyer declined by pointing out that he had completed the notarization procedure and signed a contract with his client's family.

The authorities insisted and revealed that another lawyer would be 'assigned' to his client after he withdraws. After using a carrot and stick approach, the authorities became more stern in requesting the lawyer to quit.

It is expected the authority would continue pressurising him.

Source: Save 12 Hong Kong Youths Concern Group #Sept22
https://t.me/save12hkyouths/19

#RulebyLaw #ChineseLaw
#Censorship #YingEChi
Independent filmmakers: Film inspection authority stalls reviewing process and shutters anti-ELAB movement DVD submitted for inspection

Source: Apple Daily #Sept22

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25486
#Censorship #YingEChi
Independent filmmakers: Film inspection authority stalls reviewing process and shutters anti-ELAB movement DVD submitted for inspection

“Inside the Red Brick Wall”, a documentary directed by filmmakers of HK Documentary Initiative was released on September 21 at the Hong Kong Arts Center. The film, centered on the siege of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has captured one of the most intense confrontations between pro-democracy protesters and HK police during the year-long anti-ELAB movement in 2019.

When receiving the long-overdue Certificate of Approval, Ying E Chi Cinema was stunned to find the DVD of “Inside the Red Brick Wall” it submitted for inspection was “utterly shattered”.

When being asked, a staff member of OFNAA (Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration) claimed that they had “accidentally'' damaged it during reviewing process. Ying E Chi Cinema stated on its Facebook that “it had never occurred in almost 20 years since our establishment”.

Source: Apple Daily #Sept22
#WhiteTerror #FailedState #FreedomOfSpeech #HongKongCinema #IndieCinema

Read how the negotiation between Ying E Chi cinema and the OFNAA unfolds on the cinema’s Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3063984707040934&id=261128170659949

Related article: Hong Kong Authorities Accuse Protest Documentaries of "Constituting Criminal Offences"
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25426
#WhiteTerror #PoliceState
50 Police Barge Into Private Estate Thrice Without Warrant; Residents Fear Act Was to Intimate Coroner's Court Witnesses

Residents of Beverly Garden in Tseung Kwan O has initiated a petition, being discontented by the presence of around fifty police that had violated Police Force Ordinance by barging and patrolling in a private area.

A landlord stated that police had entered the estate thrice under high profile within 24 hours without a Court warrant. He worried that such “patrolling” would become a norm, stating that it not only made residents feel panic, but also affected residents’ daily routines. She also worried that police entering the estate under such high profile might stress neighbours that would be attending the Coroner’s Court. Thus they urged police to explain.

In 2019, 22-year-old pro-democracy student Alex Chow fell from the parking lot of the adjacent Sheung Tak Estate during police operation. The hearing for Alex Chow's case in the Coroner’s Court started recently and would call 60 witnesses, including residents of Beverly Garden.

The landlord was worried police barging the estate under such high profile might stress witness, and thus joined the petition.

Source: Apple Daily #Sept22
#AsiasFinest #TseungKwanO #BeverlyGarden #AlewChow
#CoronersCourt
#FailedState #RespectReligion
HK Health Department Fails to Offer Halal Food during 40 Hours

Arriving at the Hong Kong Airport from India, Hongkongers of Indian ethnicity spent more than 40 hours waiting before being transferred to the quarantine center.

To make it worse, the Hong Kong authorities failed to provide any halal food, nor to arrange a place for them to rest.

Among them, Asif, who speaks English, called the Department of Heath and request halal food for his wife and daughter; however, a staff of the Department of Health rejected his request.

Asif felt that the frontline staff sent by the govrenment have a language barrier and refuse to communicate. Also, they were not aware of halal food.

Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo pointed out that the inadequate support and services might involve discrimination.

Yau Tsim Mong District Councillor Leslie Chan called on the Department of Health and the Airport Authority to improve the English level of their frontline staff and provide special food requirement if necessary.

Tuen Mun district councillor Michael Mo Kwan-Tai also expressed concern toward the Airport Authority for out-sourcing tasks. He described the situation was worse than a refugee camp.

Source: InMedia #Sept22
https://bit.ly/3mDFTY9

#HalalFood #Airport
#Censorship
HK Communications Authority Accuses TV programmes Showing police brutality of being biased

Source: Apple Daily #Sept22

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25602
#Censorship
HK Communications Authority Accuses TV programmes Showing police brutality of being biased

A 5-minute TV talk show on political affairs produced by thr public broadcaster #RTHK in Hong Kong was warned by the Communications Authority for being one-sided in their comments on police brutality, violating the TV Programme Code.

Reporters of Apple Daily reviewed 4 episodes of the programme which invited the Planning Officer of Amnesty International in Hong Kong Yu Hoi-kuen (于愷絹) to comment on police brutality when arresting pro-democracy protesters; spokesperson of HK Human Rights Monitor, Claudia Yip Fun-yau (葉寬柔) to discuss about legality in police shooting protesters with live rounds. The Vice-president of Hong Kong Property Management and Security Workers' Association, Yu Mei-wan (余美雲) was invited to comment on the abuse of police power when five security guards were arrested at Sunshine City, while Convenor of Civil Human Rights Front Eric Lai Yan-ho (黎恩灝) was asked to comment on police shooting protesters with live round in close range.

Staff Union of RTHK pointed out that most guest speakers were sharing their views and opinion on the response of the Police Force. They disputed whether a programme should gather a response to “a response-of-a-response”, which they consider excessive and going beyond the requirement of the TV Programme Code.

Responding to the Authority’s warning issued to RTHK, Yip expressed disappointment and opined that the Authority is siding in favor of the government to oppress citizens, creating a chilling effect and removing their freedom of speech.

Source: Apple Daily #Sept22
https://bit.ly/3kDsWM6
World Politicians, Human Rights Groups Reportedly Ask Olympic Committee to Remove Beijing as 2022 Winter Olympics Host

Source: Stand News #Sept22

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#NeverForget #PoliceBrutality
HongKongers continue quest for truth on 2-year anniversary of pro-democracy student's death

#PoliceState #Oppression #Truth #NeverForgive #Memorial

Source: NineteenMedia; #Sept22

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#NeverForget #PoliceBrutality
HongKongers continue quest for truth on 2-year anniversary of pro-democracy student's death

On September 22, 2019, 15-year-old student #ChanYinLam, a supporter of Hong Kong's anti-extradition bill protests, passed away.

Chan's body was found naked and floating in the sea near Tseung Kwan O. However, Hong Kong police quickly declared her death to be unsuspicous, before conducting much investigation.

In the two years since, the police had been making every effort to stop citizens from gathering in remembrance of Chan, citing COVID-19 gathering restrictions and social order.

Resisting to forget, citizens continue to place memorials in Tseung Kwan O on September 22, 2021, with light boxes of Chan's portrait and white electric candles. The memorial not pays tribute to Chan, but symbolizes the continued quest for the truth behind her death.

Her death in 2019 had sparked immediate and intense public discussion, with some suspecting that the Hong Kong Police might be involved. The police's repeated denials without a thorough investigation only reinforced public suspicions.

Following an 11-day inquest at the Coroner's Court in 2020, the jury returned an open verdict in Chan's death. The five-member jury of three women and two men unanimously concluded that they were unable to determine the causes and circumstances of Chan's death.

#PoliceState #Oppression #Truth #NeverForgive #memorial

Source: NineteenMedia; #Sept22
https://t.me/nineteenMedia/9586
#FirstHand
#GrannyWong calls on Hongkongers to remember young protester's mysterious death

#NeverForget #PoliceBrutality #PoliceState #Oppression #Truth #NeverForgive #Memorial

Source: First hand; #Sept22

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#FirstHand
#GrannyWong calls on Hongkongers to remember young protester's mysterious death

September 22, 2021 marked the 24th month since death of the 15-year-old pro-democracy protesters, #ChanYinLam when her naked body was found in the harbor off Tseung Kwan O on September 22, 2019. The coroner's court had ruled the cause of her death to be inconclusive, due to insufficient evidence.

In late evening, Granny Wong was outside a shopping mall nearby Tseung Kwan O, holding a British flag and a bouquet of flowers in her hands. She urged any witnesses to come forward with information relevant to Chan's death.

Moments later, Wong was intercepted by Hong Kong police and searched. After she was eventually released, two plainclothes officer followed Granny Wong as she made her the way to the promenade.

#NeverForget #PoliceBrutality #PoliceState #Oppression #Truth #NeverForgive #Memorial

Source: First hand; #Sept22
#CCPRules
Hong Kong critics warned by #UK to avoid #extradition locations

Source: The Strait Times; Bloomberg #Sept22

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#CCPRules #NationalSecurityLaw
Hong Kong critics warned by #UK to avoid #extradition locations

//The UK government is alerting people in Britain who were named in a Hong Kong national security case to avoid travelling to countries that have extradition treaties with the Chinese territory...

The warnings underscore concern among US allies that China might reach beyond its borders to prosecute people for crimes under a Beijing-drafted national security law imposed on Hong Kong last year.

The sweeping legislation asserts global jurisdiction for cases involving terrorism, secession, subversion and collusion with foreign powers, which carry sentences as long as life in prison

Nine countries, including Germany, the UK and the US, suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong following the imposition of the sweeping legislation in June 2020.

Still, China has almost doubled its extradition treaties to more than 50 since 2012, as the country pursued fugitives overseas as part of a years-long graft crackdown under President #XiJinping.

Beijing ratified an extradition pact with #Cyprus last year, and approved a similar one with Belgium earlier this year.//

Source: The Strait Times; Bloomberg #Sept22

Read full article:
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/hong-kong-critics-warned-by-uk-to-avoid-extradition-locations

#Crackdown