#AcademicFreedom #PublicOpinion
Data Storage Reduced To 3 Months: HK Academics Promise to Stand Their Ground In Representing Public Opinion
The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (#HKPORI) was investigated by the Hong Kong police force in early 2021 because of its involvement in the democratic primary election case.
Dr. Robert Chung Ting-yiu, President and Chief Executive Officer at the HKPORI, said on April 1, 2021 that he would continue to uphold the spirit of science and democracy in conducting opinion polls.
With concern for the privacy of the respondents, he decided to shorten the storage period of the research data from 6 months to 3 months.
Chung said that even though the environment in Hong Kong is getting harsher HKPORI will hold fast to their post, "If we were to give up, it would be like asking the Hong Kong people to give up.”
Dr. Chung Kim Wah, Deputy executive director of the HKPORI, expressed that the research institute will continue to uphold the scientific spirit, while sparing no efforts in handling online opinions and constructive criticism. He also said that he used to have hope for the "one country, two systems" when he was in university, and never thought Hong Kong would become what it is today, “If people in power abuse the law, they may even accuse those who participate in international public opinion research organization of colluding with foreign forces.”
He also reminded the Hong Kong people to “Stand fast to your own post and face the situation openly”. He emphasized that HKPORI will continue to work with different organizations to represent the public’s view and opinion on social policies, “so as not to bring the civil society to its knees”.
Source: In Media HK #April1
https://bit.ly/2Poq8Zc
#Academics #CivilSociety #Poll #DataStorage #PoliceState #PoliticalSuppression
Data Storage Reduced To 3 Months: HK Academics Promise to Stand Their Ground In Representing Public Opinion
The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (#HKPORI) was investigated by the Hong Kong police force in early 2021 because of its involvement in the democratic primary election case.
Dr. Robert Chung Ting-yiu, President and Chief Executive Officer at the HKPORI, said on April 1, 2021 that he would continue to uphold the spirit of science and democracy in conducting opinion polls.
With concern for the privacy of the respondents, he decided to shorten the storage period of the research data from 6 months to 3 months.
Chung said that even though the environment in Hong Kong is getting harsher HKPORI will hold fast to their post, "If we were to give up, it would be like asking the Hong Kong people to give up.”
Dr. Chung Kim Wah, Deputy executive director of the HKPORI, expressed that the research institute will continue to uphold the scientific spirit, while sparing no efforts in handling online opinions and constructive criticism. He also said that he used to have hope for the "one country, two systems" when he was in university, and never thought Hong Kong would become what it is today, “If people in power abuse the law, they may even accuse those who participate in international public opinion research organization of colluding with foreign forces.”
He also reminded the Hong Kong people to “Stand fast to your own post and face the situation openly”. He emphasized that HKPORI will continue to work with different organizations to represent the public’s view and opinion on social policies, “so as not to bring the civil society to its knees”.
Source: In Media HK #April1
https://bit.ly/2Poq8Zc
#Academics #CivilSociety #Poll #DataStorage #PoliceState #PoliticalSuppression
#NeverForget #NeverGiveUp
#June9 2019: One Million Hongkongers Protest Against Extradition to China
Two years ago, at least one million Hongkongers took it to the street, opposing the government's plan to implement extradition to China.
The worst fear of the local population has been the loss of right, freedom and the rule of law in the growing presence of China.
The Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill (#AntiELAB) Movement thereby began.
Two years on, freedom-loving Hongkongers have been facing unprecedented challenges upon the authorities' crackdown on #CivilSociety and #protest activities, in addition to the forceful imposition of the #NationalSecurityLaw.
Just on #June4, 2021, the Hong Kong police banned the #CandlelightVigil in commemoration of the victims of the 1989 #TiananmenMassacre for the second time. In face of suppression, Hongkongers showed the world their perseverance, creativity and solidarity to make their voice heard.
Photo taken on June 9, 2019 in Hong Kong by Philip Fong/AFP
#June9 2019: One Million Hongkongers Protest Against Extradition to China
Two years ago, at least one million Hongkongers took it to the street, opposing the government's plan to implement extradition to China.
The worst fear of the local population has been the loss of right, freedom and the rule of law in the growing presence of China.
The Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill (#AntiELAB) Movement thereby began.
Two years on, freedom-loving Hongkongers have been facing unprecedented challenges upon the authorities' crackdown on #CivilSociety and #protest activities, in addition to the forceful imposition of the #NationalSecurityLaw.
Just on #June4, 2021, the Hong Kong police banned the #CandlelightVigil in commemoration of the victims of the 1989 #TiananmenMassacre for the second time. In face of suppression, Hongkongers showed the world their perseverance, creativity and solidarity to make their voice heard.
Photo taken on June 9, 2019 in Hong Kong by Philip Fong/AFP
#FirstHand #Sept19
Leading Trade Unions Confederation in Hong Kong disbands after leaders received death threats
On September 19, 2021, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#CTU) announced disbandment.
Leaders of the group said a special general meeting is scheduled on October 3, 2021 to vote the decision through.
Chairman of the Confederation, #WongDikYuen, told press in a briefing that members of the group, one after another, have been receiving life-threatening messages, that if the Confederation continues its operation, their personal safety might be in risk.
Wong declined to divulge details of these messages nor sources. Chocked in emotions, he apologised to Hong Kong people, "Apologies, Hongkongers. #CTU can not carry on."
In the briefing, Wong also denied allegation of foreign collusion saying that it is a standing practice for the Conferation to stay in close connection with overseas organisations.
Vice-chairman, #LeoTang Kin-wah said members will showcase achievements of the Conferation in an exhibition planned to commemorate the group's 30th anniversary later this year.
In closing, Tang called for Hongkongers to "#AddOil".
Source: First Hand; #Sept19
#Crackdown #Regime #PoliticalSuppression #WhiteTerror #CivilSociety
Leading Trade Unions Confederation in Hong Kong disbands after leaders received death threats
On September 19, 2021, the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#CTU) announced disbandment.
Leaders of the group said a special general meeting is scheduled on October 3, 2021 to vote the decision through.
Chairman of the Confederation, #WongDikYuen, told press in a briefing that members of the group, one after another, have been receiving life-threatening messages, that if the Confederation continues its operation, their personal safety might be in risk.
Wong declined to divulge details of these messages nor sources. Chocked in emotions, he apologised to Hong Kong people, "Apologies, Hongkongers. #CTU can not carry on."
In the briefing, Wong also denied allegation of foreign collusion saying that it is a standing practice for the Conferation to stay in close connection with overseas organisations.
Vice-chairman, #LeoTang Kin-wah said members will showcase achievements of the Conferation in an exhibition planned to commemorate the group's 30th anniversary later this year.
In closing, Tang called for Hongkongers to "#AddOil".
Source: First Hand; #Sept19
#Crackdown #Regime #PoliticalSuppression #WhiteTerror #CivilSociety
#WhiteTerror
Hong Kong Radio host #HughChiverton disappears from airwaves, #RTHK refuses to comment
//RTHK has refused to comment on the whereabouts of its English-language radio presenter Hugh Chiverton after he disappeared from the airwaves without explanation over two weeks ago.
He last hosted the Backchat morning show on RTHK 3 on September 3. However, the episode remains missing from the online archive.
The topic of the programme was “#CivilSociety” and included former City University academic Joseph Cheng, Dr Lim Tai-wei of the National University of Singapore and Dr Eugene Chan – president of the Association of Hong Kong Professionals and a former RTHK board chairman.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Chiverton “was told he received an instruction that he could no longer host the programme anymore” following the civil society episode.
Chiverton’s disappearance from #Backchat is the latest controversy since a new Director of Broadcasting with no previous media experience took the helm in March. Since then, RTHK has also scrubbed its online archives, purged its Twitter account, launched a chat show hosted by Lam, and issued directives to staff to use Beijing-approved wording.
Lam has also announced a partnership between the broadcaster and Chinese state media CCTV to air more mainland-produced shows to instil a sense of patriotism among Hong Kong viewers...//
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Sept21
Read full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2021/09/21/radio-3-host-hugh-chiverton-disappears-from-airwaves-rthk-refuses-to-comment
#Censorship #Disappearance
Hong Kong Radio host #HughChiverton disappears from airwaves, #RTHK refuses to comment
//RTHK has refused to comment on the whereabouts of its English-language radio presenter Hugh Chiverton after he disappeared from the airwaves without explanation over two weeks ago.
He last hosted the Backchat morning show on RTHK 3 on September 3. However, the episode remains missing from the online archive.
The topic of the programme was “#CivilSociety” and included former City University academic Joseph Cheng, Dr Lim Tai-wei of the National University of Singapore and Dr Eugene Chan – president of the Association of Hong Kong Professionals and a former RTHK board chairman.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Chiverton “was told he received an instruction that he could no longer host the programme anymore” following the civil society episode.
Chiverton’s disappearance from #Backchat is the latest controversy since a new Director of Broadcasting with no previous media experience took the helm in March. Since then, RTHK has also scrubbed its online archives, purged its Twitter account, launched a chat show hosted by Lam, and issued directives to staff to use Beijing-approved wording.
Lam has also announced a partnership between the broadcaster and Chinese state media CCTV to air more mainland-produced shows to instil a sense of patriotism among Hong Kong viewers...//
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Sept21
Read full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2021/09/21/radio-3-host-hugh-chiverton-disappears-from-airwaves-rthk-refuses-to-comment
#Censorship #Disappearance
Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
Radio 3 host Hugh Chiverton disappears from airwaves, RTHK refuses to comment
RTHK has refused to comment on the whereabouts of its English-language radio presenter Hugh Chiverton after he disappeared from the airwaves without explanation over two weeks ago. He last hosted t…
#WhiteTerror
Another Civil Society Organisation Disbanded in Hong Kong, folliwing National Security Police's Inquiry
Under the #NationalSecurityLaw, another civil society organisation was disbanded in Hong Kong.
The China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group (#CHRLCG) announceed on September 21, 2021 that it would be dissolved within September and has already started the related procedure.
The director of the concern group will resign.
The national security police in Hong Kong once required the concern group to hand in details in August 2021, and the concern group did comply.
Some reporters tried to search the Facebook Page of the concern group in the afternoon, but no content can be shown. Its website displayed "Website is under maintenance".
#EmilyLau Wai-Hing, Vice-President of CHRLCG, earlier revealed that they received a mail from the Hong Kong police asking for data submission. They made an agreement with the police force about the extension of the due date to . #AlbertHo Chun-Yan, who originally made a statement on behalf of the concerned group, resigned from all duties and left the relevant groups.
CHRLCG was a Hong Kong non-profitable organisation founded in January 2007. They aimed to promote and protect the rights of Human Rights Lawyers and legal workers in China. Their works include subsidising human rights cases, proposing policy, training and education.
#ChinaHumanRightsLawyersConcernedGroup #LauWaiHing #HoChunYan #Disband #CivilSociety #HumanRightsLawyer
Source: Stand News #Sep21
https://bit.ly/3kEcFsZ
Another Civil Society Organisation Disbanded in Hong Kong, folliwing National Security Police's Inquiry
Under the #NationalSecurityLaw, another civil society organisation was disbanded in Hong Kong.
The China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group (#CHRLCG) announceed on September 21, 2021 that it would be dissolved within September and has already started the related procedure.
The director of the concern group will resign.
The national security police in Hong Kong once required the concern group to hand in details in August 2021, and the concern group did comply.
Some reporters tried to search the Facebook Page of the concern group in the afternoon, but no content can be shown. Its website displayed "Website is under maintenance".
#EmilyLau Wai-Hing, Vice-President of CHRLCG, earlier revealed that they received a mail from the Hong Kong police asking for data submission. They made an agreement with the police force about the extension of the due date to . #AlbertHo Chun-Yan, who originally made a statement on behalf of the concerned group, resigned from all duties and left the relevant groups.
CHRLCG was a Hong Kong non-profitable organisation founded in January 2007. They aimed to promote and protect the rights of Human Rights Lawyers and legal workers in China. Their works include subsidising human rights cases, proposing policy, training and education.
#ChinaHumanRightsLawyersConcernedGroup #LauWaiHing #HoChunYan #Disband #CivilSociety #HumanRightsLawyer
Source: Stand News #Sep21
https://bit.ly/3kEcFsZ
#TonyeeChow #Court
Hong Kong Judge Questions Arrested Pro-democracy Barrister: Can You Access Internet in Jail?
Barrister Tonyee Chow Hang-tung is a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong and the former Vice Chairperson of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. The now-disbanded Alliance was known for organizing the annual June 4 vigil in Hong Kong to commemorate the victims of the Tianamen Square Massacre in Beijing in 1989.
She was arrested for state subversion by the Hong Kong authority.
The authority accused her of calling on citizens to participate in June 4th commemorative event in 2020, which was banned by the government. Chow was charged with "inciting others to participate in an unauthorised assembly".
The case was heard in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts by Judge Chan Wai-mun on October 5, 2021.
Chow, who has been detained since her arrest, stated that she would defend herself and make her own statement. She will argue whether it is constitutional to restrict the dispute to freedom and whether the related article she disseminsted can ce considered as an "incitement".
Due to the limited resources she has when on remand, Chow asked for one to two weeks' time for preparation.
The Judge then questioned her, “Where did you find the law books in jail? Can you access Internet?” The query made citizens attending the session laughed.
Chow responded that she would rely on her professional knowledge of law and seek help from friends.
Source: Stand News #Oct5
https://bit.ly/2ZXtBCZ
#June4 #HKASPDMC #Vigil #TiananmenSquareMassacre #Internet #ChowHangTung #CivilSociety #Law #Alliance
Hong Kong Judge Questions Arrested Pro-democracy Barrister: Can You Access Internet in Jail?
Barrister Tonyee Chow Hang-tung is a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong and the former Vice Chairperson of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. The now-disbanded Alliance was known for organizing the annual June 4 vigil in Hong Kong to commemorate the victims of the Tianamen Square Massacre in Beijing in 1989.
She was arrested for state subversion by the Hong Kong authority.
The authority accused her of calling on citizens to participate in June 4th commemorative event in 2020, which was banned by the government. Chow was charged with "inciting others to participate in an unauthorised assembly".
The case was heard in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts by Judge Chan Wai-mun on October 5, 2021.
Chow, who has been detained since her arrest, stated that she would defend herself and make her own statement. She will argue whether it is constitutional to restrict the dispute to freedom and whether the related article she disseminsted can ce considered as an "incitement".
Due to the limited resources she has when on remand, Chow asked for one to two weeks' time for preparation.
The Judge then questioned her, “Where did you find the law books in jail? Can you access Internet?” The query made citizens attending the session laughed.
Chow responded that she would rely on her professional knowledge of law and seek help from friends.
Source: Stand News #Oct5
https://bit.ly/2ZXtBCZ
#June4 #HKASPDMC #Vigil #TiananmenSquareMassacre #Internet #ChowHangTung #CivilSociety #Law #Alliance
At least 49 organisations have announced to dismiss or stop operation under the National Security Law until September.
#disband #CivilSociety #NSL #NatioanSecurityLaw #GoHKgraphics
#disband #CivilSociety #NSL #NatioanSecurityLaw #GoHKgraphics
Pro-democracy Group Displays Black Cloth to Mourn the Loss of Freedom in Hong Kong
On May 29, 2022 in Hong Kong, the League of Social Justice, a pro-democracy group, organized a street booth in Causeway Bay. It was eve of the 33th anniversary of the 1989 #TiananmenMassacre.
Despite political suppression, the group displayed a black cloth, mourning the loss of the freedom of expression in Hong Kong.
The chairperson #ChanPoYing revealed that they originally prepared a banner that read "release all the political prisoners" and "power to the people".
However, one day ago, a pro-democracy radio station was fined by the authorities for "displaying unauthorized slogans". This made the League of Social Justice showcase only a black cloth.
Chan said the message was clear to every Hongkongers, "we never forget, never give up."
Source: InMedia #May29
https://bit.ly/3a3YXga
#Hongkongers #Solidarity #StreetBooth #CivilSociety
On May 29, 2022 in Hong Kong, the League of Social Justice, a pro-democracy group, organized a street booth in Causeway Bay. It was eve of the 33th anniversary of the 1989 #TiananmenMassacre.
Despite political suppression, the group displayed a black cloth, mourning the loss of the freedom of expression in Hong Kong.
The chairperson #ChanPoYing revealed that they originally prepared a banner that read "release all the political prisoners" and "power to the people".
However, one day ago, a pro-democracy radio station was fined by the authorities for "displaying unauthorized slogans". This made the League of Social Justice showcase only a black cloth.
Chan said the message was clear to every Hongkongers, "we never forget, never give up."
Source: InMedia #May29
https://bit.ly/3a3YXga
#Hongkongers #Solidarity #StreetBooth #CivilSociety