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The Female President in Exile Promised to Resign in 6 months After Taking Office: Return the Power to Citizens

Although the influence of international society becomes more powerful, and even many countries publicly recognized Tikhanovskaya as the only legal leader of Belarus, she insisted that she was the “leader of democratic Belarus” instead of “the leader of the opposition” or the “president”. She indicated that “the people of Belarus authorized me to speak for our country”. Before the election, she had indicated that she was not a politician. Once she became a president, she would resign within six months and restart a fair and just democratic election, truly “return politics to the people”.

Although many Belarusians are now in exile due to the wanted and political suppression, Tikhanovskaya thought it is just temporary and does not worried that people will lose their identities because of long-term exiled. Separated from her husband, she emphasized that exile does not mean that she is ignoring the political issues, but is now more suitable for the “international front”, shuttling between countries to lobby leaders, and preparing for the transition government. From time to time, through the internet, she can call on the compatriots in Belarus to initiate “Three Big Strikes” and other demonstrations.

For how can ordinary people contribute? Tikhanovskaya gave some examples: to participate in foreign protests which support Belarus, to write letters to the imprisoned political prisoners, as large as to the public to influence the parliament and the government’s attitude, as small as to provide food and shelter to the new exiles. Everyone has lots of things to do, and everyone is a little water drop, but when the faith of people meets, it can be an ocean. And after this struggle, Belarusians are impossible to go back to the days of accepting totalitarian rule. Every Belarusian, no matter in the country or abroad, will fight for the return of their compatriots in exile.

Source from: Apple Daily #Dec18

https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201218/JEISPWK6KVHOJCVVJI7XON3HPI/

#Belarus #Belarusian #Freedom #democracy #Tikhanovskaya #exile #election
#FailedState
Bank of China Terminates HK Activist's Bank Account,
Laus: Violation of Personal Assets Damages Hong Kong's Image as International Financial Centre

Honcques Laus, who is currently in the UK and being wanted by Hong Kong Police for violating the National Security Law, stated on Facebook that his bank account was terminated by the Bank of China.

He alliterated that the incident showed that the Hong Kong and Chinese Central Governments have been violating Hongkongers' personal assets, which damages Hong Kong's reputation as an international financial centre. According to the Bank of China's account termination procedures, Laus could retrieve his savings only by visiting the bank personally.

Laus emphasised that having one's personal assets violated due to speaking out one's personal opinions is intolerable, and called for other nations to impose sanctions on the Bank of China, other Chinese state-controlled banks and the Hong Kong and Chinese Governments. He believed that such an act by Beijing would only attract more international sanction and "hasten its fall".

Source: Stand News #Dec30

#HoncquesLaus #HongKonger #Exile #PoliticalProsecution
#TedHui #FiveEyes
Exiled Hong Kong lawmaker moves to Australia to boost global pro-democracy effort

#StandwithHK #Exile #GlobalEffort

Source: Stand News; #Mar9

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Exiled Hong Kong lawmaker moves to Australia to boost global pro-democracy effort

Fugitive Hong Kong legislator #TedHui exiled in the UK since December 2020 wrote on his Facebook that he will settle and carry on lobbying work in Australia.

Hui explained that there are fewer full-time Hong Kong political figures in Australia lobbying for stronger international responses against the national security laws in Hong Kong.

Hui continued saying that Australia and New Zealand are important members of the Five Eye intelligence sharing group, consisting of also the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, which have supported the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

"I hope that my lobbying work will bring tougher stance among Australia and New Zealand against China," Hui wrote in the post.

Hui said that he “took in many considerations” before making the move. Among them were strategies for advocacy work and the long-term development of his family.

Hui’s wife, his son and daughter have been in exile with him since he fled Hong Kong three months ago.

“I believe it is important for Hong Kong exiles like me to be in different parts of the world, on different continents,” Hui said, stressing he would be wherever people need him.

#StandwithHK #Exile #GlobalEffort #TedHui

Source: Stand News; #Mar9
#Exile #InternationalLobbying
Ted Hui Granted a Visit to Australia as an Exemption Under the Pandemic

Source: Apple Daily #Mar10

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#Exile #InternationalLobbying
Ted Hui Granted a Visit to Australia as an Exemption Under the Pandemic

A former legislative council member Ted Hui, who fled Hong Kong to the UK through Denmark in December last year, has relocated to Australia on Mar 9 to continue his job at international lobbying. During an interview with local media, Hui thanked the Australia government’s help to allow his visit to the country as an exemption under the closed border situation. He was allowed to board on an Australian citizens-only flight from London to Australia. According to ABC News, Hui was the first Hong Kong activist to be granted a visit to Australia since the pandemic. A response from the Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, was still pending.

An Australian local media reported that Hui was granted a 12-month tourist visa. He arrived in Australia on Mar 9 morning and will self-quarantine for 14 days in a hotel. Antony Dapiran, an Australian lawyer in Hong Kong, said that Hui’s move will be welcomed by the dissidents in Hong Kong but will be criticised by the Beijing government.

Source: Apple Daily #Mar10
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210310/EUJCJB34LRBVZJ3BZ7I2P5XHP4/

#COVID19 #TedHui #UK #Australia #TouristVisa
#Separation #Hongkongers
On #MothersDay, Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists, remanded or exiled, Pay Homage to Their Mothers

Usually on Mother’s Day, many families would go out and celebrate. However, some are less fortunate this year in Hong Kong.

On May 9, 2021, exiled former #Demosisto leader #NathanLaw posted a photo with his mother on Facebook. He said this festival reminds him of the many pro-democracy protestors who became separated from their families. “Only until justice is done can family warmth return.”

Nathan Law recalled, “no matter how busy I am, on Mother's Day, I can always let go of my work and sit before a dinner table with my family.”

He admitted he saw festivals as an excuse to step away from work, but this year he thought of all the protestors who were forced into leaving their own families due to political oppression.

“For everyone who is remanded, imprisoned, or exiled, there is always a mother at home waiting for their return, waiting for days, for months, for years.”

He hoped there can be a new meaning for Mother’s Day. “Please remember those behind bars and oceans apart.”

The facebook page of democrat #TakchiTam, who is remanded on National Security charges, also posted a video that was recorded earlier of him singing the song “Mother, I did no wrong.”

In the video, he said the festival also reminded him of all the young men and women exiled or imprisoned due to the movement. However, he believed when people are united in their pursuit of justice and truth, a new family will be forged.

[Editor's note: “Mother, I have done no wrong” is a song written in remembrance of the 1989 June Fourth Massacre in Beijing. The title is a reference to a famous banner raised by the pro-democracy students who went on hunger strike in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

The lyrics sing:

“We want no one to define right or wrong.

We want no one to convict others at will."]

Source: Stand News #May9

https://www.thestandnews.com/society/a-%E4%B8%8D%E4%B8%80%E6%A8%A3%E7%9A%84%E6%AF%8D%E8%A6%AA%E7%AF%80-%E6%B5%81%E4%BA%A1%E7%BE%85%E5%86%A0%E8%81%B0%E4%B8%8A%E8%BC%89%E8%88%87%E6%AF%8D%E8%A6%AA%E5%90%88%E7%85%A7-%E5%85%AC%E7%BE%A9%E5%BD%B0%E9%A1%AF%E6%89%8D%E5%8F%AF%E6%9C%89%E5%AE%B6%E5%BA%AD%E6%BA%AB%E6%9A%96-%E5%BF%AB%E5%BF%85%E8%87%AA%E5%BD%88%E8%87%AA%E5%94%B1-%E5%AA%BD%E5%AA%BD%E6%88%91%E6%B2%92%E6%9C%89%E9%81%8E%E9%8C%AF/

#JuneFourth #Mothers #Exile #PoliticalSuppression #PoliticalPrisoners
Former Political Satire Host Leaves Hong Kong for #Taiwan: "Sorry for Not Being Able to Say Goodbye"

On July 11, 2021, Tsang Chi-ho, a radio and TV host who was suddenly sacked by the public broadcaster #RTHK in June 2021, announced on Facebook that he has left Hong Kong for Taiwan. Tsang apologized for not being able to tell and say goodbye to his friends in advance.

Tsang wrote, "I woke up and realised that a 'Hong Kong' that is not Hong Kong anymore." He said he missed his friends a lot.

"In each of our heart, there lie many people, happenings and thousands of words. The path thereafter we will continue to walk," Tsang wrote in his post.

Many netizens left words of encouragement to Tsang: "Safety comes first," "As long as you and your family are well," and "Thank you for what you have done for Hong Kong" among others.

Taiwanese netizens also told Tsang "Welcome to Taiwan".

[Editor's note: #TsangChiHo is one of the hosts of the famous political satire #Headliner produced by RTHK. Under political pressure, the long-running popular program has been suspended. The public broadcaster RTHK termimated Tsang's contract with immediate effect in June 2021, despite the popularity of another radio show he was hosting.]

Source: Stand News #Jul11
https://bit.ly/2UCGq30

#PoliticalSuppression #Exile #Migration
#Diaspora
Hong Kong #DemocraticParty's Vice Chairman Leaves the City for UK

On August 7, 2021, Wen Wei Po, a newspaper controlled by China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, claimed that the Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party in Hong Kong #LEEWingTat were seen in the airport boarding a Cathay Pacific flight to London on August 6. The pro-China newspaper said Lee "will not return shortly".

LEE's wife #CHANShuYing confirmed the news but didn't give more details. CHAN said Lee would speak for himself, when necessary, "I won't speak on his behalf, even though I am his family". Chan is currently in Hong Kong..

LEE, aged 65, is a former legislative and district councilor in Hong Kong. He was also a co-founder of the United Democrats of Hong Kong, an initial body of Democratic Party, in 1991, together with SZETO Wah and HO Chun-yan Albert,

Lee was a legislative councilor until 2012, when he lost in the election repesenting the New Territories West. The defeat marked his step-down from his previous prominent position.

In April 2019, LEE was convicted for one count of "Incitement to Public Nuisance" during the Occupy Central Movement in 2014. He was sentenced to a 8-month imprisonment, with a 2-year suspension.

In June 2021, LEE "returned" yo the political scene by taking up the Vice Chairman role of the Democracy Party. He said he wanted to stablize the Party and its members.

Lee opposed the Democratic Party to organize candidates to participate in the coming Legco election in December 2021. In the political sphere, it was rumoured that Lee's return aims at barring the few young members of the Party from candidating themselves in the election.

Source: Stand News #Aug7

https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/a-%E6%93%9A%E5%A0%B1%E6%9D%8E%E6%B0%B8%E9%81%94%E9%9B%A2%E6%B8%AF%E8%B5%B4%E8%8B%B1-%E5%A6%BB%E5%AD%90%E9%99%B3%E6%A8%B9%E8%8B%B1%E5%90%91%E9%BB%A8%E5%8F%8B%E8%AD%89%E5%AF%A6%E6%B6%88%E6%81%AF

#LegCo #LegCoElection #Migration #Exile #WhiteTerror
#Hongkongers in Britain

//...the Hong Kongers are quite different from other immigrants, including other ethnic Chinese. Many have a distinct legal status and are socially atypical. They live in specific places, which they chose in a novel way. They have created distinctive self-help groups. In just a few months, they have begun to rewrite Britain’s immigrant story.

A survey by Hongkongers in Britain, a self-help group, however, found that the average age of Hong Kong residents intending to come to Britain was 37. More than two-thirds are university-educated, and the majority have children.

Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about the Hong Kongers is the speed with which they have organised themselves. In little more than a year, several well-run groups have sprung up to help migrants settle in and to lobby on their behalf. They have conducted surveys, arranged housing, legal advice and English courses, organised walking tours, testified in Parliament and much more besides.

Sadly, this self-reliance is not a choice, but a necessity. Newly arrived Hong Kongers often fear recently established Chinese community groups that are aligned with the government in Beijing. Jabez Lam, a veteran organiser at the Hackney Chinese Community Service, says that most Hong Kongers who ask him for help will not give their names. They are right to worry about hostility from other Chinese people, he says. He was roughed up in Chinatown after defending pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

Hong Kongers’ groups have two ambitions. First, they want migrants to integrate rapidly. Hence the English lessons, an enthusiasm for working with churches and gatherings like the one in Sutton, which brought Hong Kongers together with locals. “If Hong Kongers just get together with Hong Kongers, it doesn’t help—it’s another Chinatown,” explains Mr Choi. The groups stress that the migrants’ values, such as a belief in freedom and democracy, are also British ones.

Second, they want Hong Kongers to think of themselves as a community in exile. “Hong Kong is not only a place any more. It’s a diaspora, sharing values,” says Simon Cheng of Hongkongers in Britain. However comfortable and integrated they become, he thinks, Hong Kongers must remember why they had to flee. //

Read the full article:
https://www.economist.com/britain/2021/09/23/britains-newest-immigrant-group-is-unlike-any-that-came-before

Source: The Economist #Sept23

#Immigrant #BNO #Exile #Diaspora #MigrationWave #UK
#WhiteTerror #PoliceState
HK authorities issued arrest warrants for two democrats in
exile

Former Democratic Party legislator #TedHui and former district councillor #YauManChun of Hong Kong are now wanted by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (#ICAC) for "allegedly calling on people to boycott and cast blank votes" in the upcoming Legislative Election.

The Department of Justice (#DoJ) of the Hong Kong government claimed that there was "sufficient evidence" to prosecute the two after an investigation into their social media posts.

Both Hui and Yau have declared they were in self exile and no longer in Hong Kong. Hui is currently in Australia and Yau is in the United Kingdom.

Source: InMediaHK; #Nov29
https://bit.ly/3FZoZvY

#LegCoElection #LegCo #BlankVote #BoycottElection #Exile #Regime
#PTSD #Exile
2 Years Since
#PolyUSiege: Pro-Democracy Protester who Fled Hong Kong Missed Relative's Funeral, Fears Retribution from #Regime

#PolyU #PoylUSiege #Trauma #HKPoliceState

Source: In-Media HK; #Nov20

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#PTSD #Exile
2 Years Since
#PolyUSiege: Pro-Democracy Protester who Fled Hong Kong Missed Relative's Funeral, Fears Retribution from #Regime

When "A" (pseudonym) heard that a close relative had passed away earlier this year, she immediately made plans to fly back to Hong Kong for the funeral. She quickly picked an airline and a date for the flight; but when it came to selecting her seat, a sense of dread and anxiety suddenly struck her: "I'm really scared of being arrested."

In the end, she did not take the flight.

"A" was working overseas when the the 2019 #ANTIELAB movement broke out. She was not a frequent participant, and had only taken up back-end support roles when she visited her family in Hong Kong.

In November 2019, she went to Hong Kong Polytechnic University (#PolyU) to support the pro-democracy protesters inside, and was trapped when police laid siege to the campus.

She attempted to escape on two occasions without success; in the end, police took her information, and she was taken away by ambulance.

Afterwards, she returned overseas to work. She had thought that she wasn't affected much by what she experienced.

She never imagined that her fears of retribution would only worsen, rather than fade away over time. "When the time came that I needed to return to Hong Kong, I found out that I was too afraid to do so."

"If a family funeral wasn't enough of a reason to come back, then what else is there in Hong Kong worth coming back for?" "A" had never considered emigration; but now, she knows she could not return to her hometown in the foreseeable future.

She considers herself half an exile, and she could only acquiesce with her predicament: "You can't take back what has happened."

In November 2019, pro-democracy protesters declared a city-wide strike in Hong Kong. Roadblocks were set up across the city, and protesters occupied the PolyU campus in order to blockade the nearby Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hung Hom.

Police surrounded the camlus from November 17, 2019 on, trapping protesters and citizens alike, and blocking multiple escape attempts by protesters.

Large crowds of civilians answered calls online to "break the siege", advancing towards the university from nearby districts. Police made mass arrests in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom, and Jordan; over 200 citizens were arrested on rioting charges.

Though many were released without being charged after the maximum 48-hour detention period, some of them are arrested again from their homes by police two years after in 2021.

#PolyU #PoylUSiege #Trauma #HKPoliceState

Source: In-Media HK; #Nov20
Full article: https://bit.ly/3DzVEqO
#Action
#Survey to assess demand for setting up a Hong Kong Government in exile

A political campaign group #AtlasMovement initiated a survey to gauge the demand for setting up a Hong Kong Government in exile.

“We have been thinking of setting up a Democratic Government in Exile to represent Hong Kongers and their interest in front of the international community, and to provide certain key state services,” the group wrote on its website and initiated a survey.

The group explained that the imposition of the #NationalSecurityLaw in June 2020 has led to a significant backslide and deterioration of democracy, rule of law and the guarantee of civil and political rights in Hong Kong.

It called the legislative elections in Hong Kong in December 2021 “a sham”, in which Hong Kongers can no longer express their voice or votes inside the city, and have no representation outside.

The survey aimed to assess demand for a Democratic Government in Exile; its representation; its function; how leaders could be elected and sources of funding.

The survey:
https://www.atlasmovement.org/governmentinexile

Source: Citizen News #Dec4

https://bit.ly/33R9Z5z

#Hongkongers #Exile #LegCoElection #GovernmentinExile
#HKProtest #Exile
2 Years After PolyU Siege, 19-year-old HongKongers in Exile: "I Earnestly Want to Return to Hong Kong"

#AntiELAB #PolyUseige #LOTR #HongKongAidUK

Source: RFA; #Nov17

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31792
#HKProtest #Exile
2 Years After PolyU Siege, 19-year-old HongKongers in Exile: "I Earnestly Want to Return to Hong Kong"

#AntiELAB #PolyUseige #LOTR #HongKongAidUK

Source: RFA; #Nov17

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31808
#HKProtest #Exile
2 Years After PolyU Siege, 19-year-old HongKongers in Exile: "I Earnestly Want to Return to Hong Kong"

Read Part 1:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31792

Continue with Part 2:
As he was born after the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, he does not have a #BNO passport. He can only seek #PoliticalAsylum in the UK.

During the waiting process, he could not work for a living, resulting in a difficult time. He revealed that when he first arrived in the UK, he was a "hard labour" for his "parents" in the UK from HK, limiting his freedom.

After a while, he got rid of them and stayed at a temporary dormitory provided by the UK government.

Ivan said, "the accommodation is very disrespectful nor feeling staying alone. I don't think they treat me like a person. Throughout the time, there was one fellow staying with me but left. The rest were asylums from other countries. Only a few of us are from Asia, and I am the only person from Hong Kong.

Going with the psychological shadow

The accommodation for asylum is lonely and with occasional sudden room-check by the staff at the outsourcing company of management. This action recalls Ivan's fear of police arresting him at his home's door before leaving HK after the siege.

In addition, he had his first political asylum interview in June this year. However, he couldn't finish the interview due to emotional problems after 6 hours of examination. The application is still yet to be approved after a year.

He has only recently received £8 each week from the British #HomeOffice.

Ivan stated, "life is obviously not too well financially, but the most difficult is to face the uncertain future. Applying for political asylum is complicated, with many interviews and evidence preparations. The waiting duration increases asylum's mental health burden as we can't work and may need to sign in with the police frequently."

The guilt of a "survivor"

Ivan and his friends founded "#HongKongAidUK" for HKers in the UK, supporting other political asylum seekers from Hong Kong with his own experience, providing suggestions and referrals. The organisation recently provides winter clothes for financially tight people.

Apart from helping UK HKers, he continues to speak out for democracy - calling to boycott #Beijing2022 Olympics with #Tibetan and #Uyghur groups, as well as setting up a street exhibition about HK on the #RemembranceDay. He also reminds the foreign HKers not to forget the November in 2019, full of blood.

Despite his work for HK, Ivan can hardly get away from his contradiction and guilt from his heart, and he uses it as a self-sarcasm.

He indicated, "I always say that there should have no separation between myself and the place, but then I left. It makes me feel guilty for being a survivor and think about what I can do more for HK.

If I go into imprisonment, I will not be able to come out in a short term, which means I will spend a lot of time in jail. Yet, since I arrived in a foreign country, I can use this time to do things according to my will."

Contnue Reading Part 3

Source: RFA #Nov17
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/hk-polyu-11172021060537.html