#47Democrats #PrimaryElection #MassArrest
"To Plea or Not To Plea guilty" is a queation that suffocates defendants
47 lawmakers, academia, and activist are being suspected of organising and participating in the primary election in 2020. They are being accused of "conspiring subversion of state".
In the 139-page of case study, it revealed that 5 of the defendants were classified as "major organisers" - #BennyTai, a legal scholar; #AuNokHin, a former legislator; #ChiuKaYin and #ChungKamLun, former district council members; and #GordonNg, an activist.
Among them, only Gordon Ng decided to plea not guilty.
Gordon Ng Concern Group wrote a post on social media after the release of the restrictions on reporting the cases, referring to Ng's perspective that he is "definitely not believing" that he had violated the law, and therefore, "I will face it despite being afraid”.
Ng said that he spent most of his time thinking about whether or not to plead guilty since being charged one and a half years ago. This question "makes him breathless" as his answer would most likely affect the second half of his life, with too many factors to consider.
He mentioned up until now, no defendant under the #NSL case has successfully been acquitted of their charges and described the space for discusiion, as an unknown as it required a lot of human and material resources. He asked, "is there a better way to use the resources spent on me?"
Ng understands that if he pleads guilty, his one-third of his original sentence may be cut. Yet, he is still unsure whether he is classified as a "main person", "with large crime" or "proactive participant". The category can seriously affect his sentence, from under three years to life imprisonment.
In addition, Ng stated that the case caught local and international attention, and as a result, he reflects on whether he has the responsibility to consider the view of civic society. He is an #Australian citizen, and the Australian government once published a statement raising concerns on the case. Therefore, he reflects, "Will my defence statement affect their views on the case?"
Gordon Ng admitted that he had no answer for most of his questions, but a fundamental question struck him - Do you think you had violated the law? "No, I absolutely don't think so. Therefore, I decide not to plead."
There is no way for him to get rid of the unknowns. He can only face it with courage. "I have prepared to fight for myself on the court. That is the largest battle in my life."
[Editor note: Gordon Ng is not a candidate for the election nor represents any political parties or organisations but a passerby on #LIHKG (named Lee Bak Lou, indicating liberal). He was the initiator of #LegCoPetition. It is a petition aimed to quantify people's voices and to call people to vote for the winners in the primary election and not to vote for candidates who do not support, participate or comply with the primary election. This petition puts pressure on candidates to adhere to the election results.]
Source: InMedia, GordonNgConcernGroup Facebook Page #Aug18
https://bit.ly/3Ctdhek
https://bit.ly/3Rb3rSD
Read more about the case:
Jan 6, 2021:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/27802
Feb 28, 2021:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28799
Mar 1-2, 2021:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28876
.
"To Plea or Not To Plea guilty" is a queation that suffocates defendants
47 lawmakers, academia, and activist are being suspected of organising and participating in the primary election in 2020. They are being accused of "conspiring subversion of state".
In the 139-page of case study, it revealed that 5 of the defendants were classified as "major organisers" - #BennyTai, a legal scholar; #AuNokHin, a former legislator; #ChiuKaYin and #ChungKamLun, former district council members; and #GordonNg, an activist.
Among them, only Gordon Ng decided to plea not guilty.
Gordon Ng Concern Group wrote a post on social media after the release of the restrictions on reporting the cases, referring to Ng's perspective that he is "definitely not believing" that he had violated the law, and therefore, "I will face it despite being afraid”.
Ng said that he spent most of his time thinking about whether or not to plead guilty since being charged one and a half years ago. This question "makes him breathless" as his answer would most likely affect the second half of his life, with too many factors to consider.
He mentioned up until now, no defendant under the #NSL case has successfully been acquitted of their charges and described the space for discusiion, as an unknown as it required a lot of human and material resources. He asked, "is there a better way to use the resources spent on me?"
Ng understands that if he pleads guilty, his one-third of his original sentence may be cut. Yet, he is still unsure whether he is classified as a "main person", "with large crime" or "proactive participant". The category can seriously affect his sentence, from under three years to life imprisonment.
In addition, Ng stated that the case caught local and international attention, and as a result, he reflects on whether he has the responsibility to consider the view of civic society. He is an #Australian citizen, and the Australian government once published a statement raising concerns on the case. Therefore, he reflects, "Will my defence statement affect their views on the case?"
Gordon Ng admitted that he had no answer for most of his questions, but a fundamental question struck him - Do you think you had violated the law? "No, I absolutely don't think so. Therefore, I decide not to plead."
There is no way for him to get rid of the unknowns. He can only face it with courage. "I have prepared to fight for myself on the court. That is the largest battle in my life."
[Editor note: Gordon Ng is not a candidate for the election nor represents any political parties or organisations but a passerby on #LIHKG (named Lee Bak Lou, indicating liberal). He was the initiator of #LegCoPetition. It is a petition aimed to quantify people's voices and to call people to vote for the winners in the primary election and not to vote for candidates who do not support, participate or comply with the primary election. This petition puts pressure on candidates to adhere to the election results.]
Source: InMedia, GordonNgConcernGroup Facebook Page #Aug18
https://bit.ly/3Ctdhek
https://bit.ly/3Rb3rSD
Read more about the case:
Jan 6, 2021:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/27802
Feb 28, 2021:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28799
Mar 1-2, 2021:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28876
.
Telegram
📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Breaking
Benny Tai, Robert Chung, and fifty more Democratics arrested this morning for inciting subversion of state power through arranging ‘35+ Primary Election’
#MassArrest #NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Apple Daily, Stand News; #Jan06
Read more…
Benny Tai, Robert Chung, and fifty more Democratics arrested this morning for inciting subversion of state power through arranging ‘35+ Primary Election’
#MassArrest #NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Apple Daily, Stand News; #Jan06
Read more…
Hongkongers Gathering for Queen's Funeral Sing "Glory to Hong Kong"; Police Arrests Harmonica Player
On Monday evening in Hong Kong, as the Queen's funeral was about to take place in London, many Hongkongers gathered outside the British consulate to mourn the late Queen and watch the procession on live stream. Many brought flowers and candles to add to the growing assemblage of tributes outside the consulate, which by now had taken up a large portion of the sidewalk.
A man was seen playing his harmonica on the opposite side of the street in the evening; the crowd sang along enthusiastically to familiar tunes including #GloryToHongKong, the unofficial protest anthem of 2019. The song had been rarely heard since the #NationalSecurityLaw came into effect and it was banned in schools, although the government had avoided explicitly calling it illegal.
After the man had finished playing, the crowd continue to sing as they waved cell phone lights. They finished with chants of "God save the Queen" and "Hongkongers add oil", recalling the city's glory days under the Queen's rule, when residents enjoyed prosperity as well as the freedom to speak their minds without fear of repercussions from the authorities.
Police later arrived and detained the harmonica player behind cordon lines, drawing the ire of the gathered crowd. Consulate staff also came out to intervene with the police, but the harmonica player was eventually arrested and taken away on a police van.
Source: RazvenHK twitter #Sep20
https://twitter.com/RazvenHK/status/1571840362481852416
#GodSaveTheQueen #RIP #QueenElizabethII
On Monday evening in Hong Kong, as the Queen's funeral was about to take place in London, many Hongkongers gathered outside the British consulate to mourn the late Queen and watch the procession on live stream. Many brought flowers and candles to add to the growing assemblage of tributes outside the consulate, which by now had taken up a large portion of the sidewalk.
A man was seen playing his harmonica on the opposite side of the street in the evening; the crowd sang along enthusiastically to familiar tunes including #GloryToHongKong, the unofficial protest anthem of 2019. The song had been rarely heard since the #NationalSecurityLaw came into effect and it was banned in schools, although the government had avoided explicitly calling it illegal.
After the man had finished playing, the crowd continue to sing as they waved cell phone lights. They finished with chants of "God save the Queen" and "Hongkongers add oil", recalling the city's glory days under the Queen's rule, when residents enjoyed prosperity as well as the freedom to speak their minds without fear of repercussions from the authorities.
Police later arrived and detained the harmonica player behind cordon lines, drawing the ire of the gathered crowd. Consulate staff also came out to intervene with the police, but the harmonica player was eventually arrested and taken away on a police van.
Source: RazvenHK twitter #Sep20
https://twitter.com/RazvenHK/status/1571840362481852416
#GodSaveTheQueen #RIP #QueenElizabethII
Authors of "Sheep Village" Illustrated Books Handed 19-Month Sentence; Judge Questions Lack of Mention that "Sheep Village is Part of Wolf Village"
Five former committee members of the de-registered General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists, accused of publishing three illustrated books of the "Sheep Village" series, were found guilty of conspiring to print, publish, distribute and display with seditious intent. After being detained for more than a year, they were sentenced in the District Court to 19 months imprisonment on Saturday Sept 10, the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
It was the first case in which the defendant pleaded not guilty to seditious publication charges. Designated #NationalSecurityLaw judge Kwok Wai-kin set 21 months as the starting point of the sentence for each defendant, with a discretionary deduction of two months, resulting in a sentence of 19 months imprisonment.
The judge said that the audience of the illustrated books is children aged four and above, who are like "plain paper". He criticises the defendants' books for using sheep and wolves as an analogy for Hong Kong and China, respectively. He claimed that the books accused China of doing something illegal and improper, and "sowed the seeds of instability" for the Central government and Hong Kong by indicating that China had no sovereignty over Hong Kong and that Hong Kong was not part of China. He also accused the defendants of "brainwashing" younger readers, poisoning their minds, and mobilising parents to participate.
Before sentencing, the judge asked the defendant several questions: "When will you leave the prison of your mind?" "Did you put the truth in the illustrated books? Why didn't the books tell readers that the shepherds left because they had no right to continue to govern the place?" "Why not mention that the sheep village is part of the wolf village?" "Why is freedom of speech used to deny China's indisputable sovereignty over Hong Kong?"
The judge quoted the defense's plea that the defendants are "elite" and "smart people", and that they could understand what he meant.
As the five defendants entered the detention room, they waved to the bystanders. Someone in the gallery shouted, "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!"
They will still serve their sentences for about one more month, and are expected to be free by next month.
Source: The Witness #Sep10
https://bit.ly/3BtQL3Z
#SpeechTherapists #SheepVillage #sedition #NSL #KwokWaiKin
Five former committee members of the de-registered General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists, accused of publishing three illustrated books of the "Sheep Village" series, were found guilty of conspiring to print, publish, distribute and display with seditious intent. After being detained for more than a year, they were sentenced in the District Court to 19 months imprisonment on Saturday Sept 10, the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
It was the first case in which the defendant pleaded not guilty to seditious publication charges. Designated #NationalSecurityLaw judge Kwok Wai-kin set 21 months as the starting point of the sentence for each defendant, with a discretionary deduction of two months, resulting in a sentence of 19 months imprisonment.
The judge said that the audience of the illustrated books is children aged four and above, who are like "plain paper". He criticises the defendants' books for using sheep and wolves as an analogy for Hong Kong and China, respectively. He claimed that the books accused China of doing something illegal and improper, and "sowed the seeds of instability" for the Central government and Hong Kong by indicating that China had no sovereignty over Hong Kong and that Hong Kong was not part of China. He also accused the defendants of "brainwashing" younger readers, poisoning their minds, and mobilising parents to participate.
Before sentencing, the judge asked the defendant several questions: "When will you leave the prison of your mind?" "Did you put the truth in the illustrated books? Why didn't the books tell readers that the shepherds left because they had no right to continue to govern the place?" "Why not mention that the sheep village is part of the wolf village?" "Why is freedom of speech used to deny China's indisputable sovereignty over Hong Kong?"
The judge quoted the defense's plea that the defendants are "elite" and "smart people", and that they could understand what he meant.
As the five defendants entered the detention room, they waved to the bystanders. Someone in the gallery shouted, "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!"
They will still serve their sentences for about one more month, and are expected to be free by next month.
Source: The Witness #Sep10
https://bit.ly/3BtQL3Z
#SpeechTherapists #SheepVillage #sedition #NSL #KwokWaiKin
法庭線 The Witness
羊村繪本案｜5人罪成判囚1年7月 料下月刑滿 楊逸意親陳詞：冇後悔企喺羊嗰方 - 法庭線 The Witness
首被告黎雯齡及楊逸意早上解聘法律代表，親自陳詞。黎雯齡表示，希望分享 5 日審訊、還押 13 個月的反思及體會。她指，控方引用極端恐怖份子為例，認為言論自由不能夠牴觸國家安全，惟她質疑「有限制嘅自由係咪自由呢？」
Hong Kong Schools Schedule National Security Education Activities, Mainland Exchange Tours
source: In-Media HK #Sep04
#NationalEducation #NationalSecurityLaw #NationalFlagLaw #Education #Mainlandization
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
source: In-Media HK #Sep04
#NationalEducation #NationalSecurityLaw #NationalFlagLaw #Education #Mainlandization
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Hong Kong Schools Schedule National Security Education Activities, Mainland Exchange Tours
Following the Education Bureau's (#EDB) push to increase emphasis on "Citizenship and National Security Education", many Hong Kong schools have scheduled numerous activities around patriotic topics.
Read more:
Hong Kong's “National Education Calendar” suggests discussing #ChineseCommunistParty development and watching three "patriotic anti-Japanese" films a year
https://t.me/BeWaterHK/866
According to the "Primary School Profiles 2022" published by the EDB in September, these activities include exchange trips with schools in mainland China and quiz competitions. Out of the 500-plus primary schools in Hong Kong, 59 will be organizing flag-raising teams this year.
HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School, run by the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (#HKFEW), plans to establish exchange tours with sister schools in mainland China. The school aims to "deepen the students' knowledge of the history and culture of the motherland" through poetry reading, studying Chinese music and water painting.
Alliance Primary School in Kowloon Tong, ranked among the top primary schools in the city, will host a "Life in the Mainland Experience Tour" in primary year 5, "to let students gain a deeper understanding of student life in poorer areas, and to learn to give and be thankful". ELCHK Hung Hom Lutheran Primary School will have "scholarship tours", sending students abroad on exchanges with sister schools in places such as Canada and Beijing, so they could learn more about the world and the motherland. Several schools belonging to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals will also participate in the EDB's mainland exchange program.
Many schools have followed the EDB's suggested calendars and planned events on "important dates". ELCHK Faith Love Lutheran School explains: "Through activities such as Nanjing Massacre memorial day, constitution day, flag-raising ceremonies, and Speeches under the National Flag, students will learn National Security Education, and develop their concept of their country and respect for rule of law."
[editor's note: "Speeches under the National Flag" is a routine part of flag-raising ceremonies in China's schools, featuring speeches by teachers and outstanding students, as well as individuals deemed "model workers" by the Communist Party. The practice is prescribed under China's National Flag Law, so that students from kindergarten onward could "develop a sense of duty to love the country."]
In addition to events on "important dates", many schools are integrating national security education into their regular curriculum. Diocesan Girls' Junior School and SKH Chi Fu Chi Nam Primary School are among the schools who stated this intention.
source: In-Media HK #Sep04
https://bit.ly/3CXtNDM
#NationalEducation #NationalSecurityLaw #NationalFlagLaw #Education #Mainlandization
Following the Education Bureau's (#EDB) push to increase emphasis on "Citizenship and National Security Education", many Hong Kong schools have scheduled numerous activities around patriotic topics.
Read more:
Hong Kong's “National Education Calendar” suggests discussing #ChineseCommunistParty development and watching three "patriotic anti-Japanese" films a year
https://t.me/BeWaterHK/866
According to the "Primary School Profiles 2022" published by the EDB in September, these activities include exchange trips with schools in mainland China and quiz competitions. Out of the 500-plus primary schools in Hong Kong, 59 will be organizing flag-raising teams this year.
HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School, run by the pro-Beijing Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (#HKFEW), plans to establish exchange tours with sister schools in mainland China. The school aims to "deepen the students' knowledge of the history and culture of the motherland" through poetry reading, studying Chinese music and water painting.
Alliance Primary School in Kowloon Tong, ranked among the top primary schools in the city, will host a "Life in the Mainland Experience Tour" in primary year 5, "to let students gain a deeper understanding of student life in poorer areas, and to learn to give and be thankful". ELCHK Hung Hom Lutheran Primary School will have "scholarship tours", sending students abroad on exchanges with sister schools in places such as Canada and Beijing, so they could learn more about the world and the motherland. Several schools belonging to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals will also participate in the EDB's mainland exchange program.
Many schools have followed the EDB's suggested calendars and planned events on "important dates". ELCHK Faith Love Lutheran School explains: "Through activities such as Nanjing Massacre memorial day, constitution day, flag-raising ceremonies, and Speeches under the National Flag, students will learn National Security Education, and develop their concept of their country and respect for rule of law."
[editor's note: "Speeches under the National Flag" is a routine part of flag-raising ceremonies in China's schools, featuring speeches by teachers and outstanding students, as well as individuals deemed "model workers" by the Communist Party. The practice is prescribed under China's National Flag Law, so that students from kindergarten onward could "develop a sense of duty to love the country."]
In addition to events on "important dates", many schools are integrating national security education into their regular curriculum. Diocesan Girls' Junior School and SKH Chi Fu Chi Nam Primary School are among the schools who stated this intention.
source: In-Media HK #Sep04
https://bit.ly/3CXtNDM
#NationalEducation #NationalSecurityLaw #NationalFlagLaw #Education #Mainlandization
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📡Guardians of Hong Kong aka BeWater HK
Hong Kong's “National Education Calendar” suggests discussing #ChineseCommunistParty development and watching three "patriotic anti-Japanese" films a year
In a letter to all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, the Education Bureau (#EDB) "strongly…
In a letter to all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, the Education Bureau (#EDB) "strongly…
"Politically corrected" textbooks in the New Hong Kong Era
Source: InMedia #Sep04
#NationalSecurityLaw #NationalEducation #RewritingHistory
Read more
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Source: InMedia #Sep04
#NationalSecurityLaw #NationalEducation #RewritingHistory
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
"Politically corrected" textbooks in the New Hong Kong Era
6 publishing companies amended their #LiberalStudies textbooks after "inquiring" the #EducationBureau for comments in August 2020. Journalists discovered that some contents are removed, including #June4th, #CulturalRevolution, #MongKokCivilUnrest, #LocalConsciousness and #HongKongIndependenceClaims.
In November 2020, then-Secretary of Education, Kevin Yeung, announced to reform the Senior Secondary Liberal Studies (LS) syllabus. Course content was re-organised, and some were removed in order to grow students’ national identity with a mainland visit opportunity.
Less than a year later, the new subject “Citizenship and Social Development” replaced LS in school curricula. However, its textbooks were only approved in June 2022. Journalists discovered that the new books did not only modify a few photos or comics, but completely overthrew statements made in past textbooks. Notable changes include stating that Hong Kong was “not a #colony”, and the #AntiELAB movement was “an illegal incident that is violent and endangers national security”.
In the new era of Hong Kong, are the textbooks becoming "politically correct"? InMedia found #LiberalStudies textbooks published between 2014 and 2020, and compared them to the new #CitizenshipandSocialDevelopment textbooks.
Under the new syllabus, concepts including "#CivilDisobedience", "Separation of Powers", "4 levels of the Rule of Law" and "Multiple identities" are removed. Topics that took their place are #NationalSecurity, #NationalIdentity, and #NationalAchievement. The topic of Rule of Law no longer covered #RestrictionofLaw, #HumanRightProtection without affecting others’ rights, social order and national security.
Additional materials are taken mainly from official government sources, such as Information Service Department and blogs of government officials. Students are no longer required to discuss topics with controversial views. They only need to answer questions such as “Why does the National People's Congress interpreting the law not affect judiciary independence?”
Source: InMedia #Sep04
https://bit.ly/3wUtMww
See also:
Hong Kong Schools Schedule National Security Education Activities, Mainland Exchange Tours
https://t.me/BeWaterHK/1006
#NationalSecurityLaw #NationalEducation #RewritingHistory
6 publishing companies amended their #LiberalStudies textbooks after "inquiring" the #EducationBureau for comments in August 2020. Journalists discovered that some contents are removed, including #June4th, #CulturalRevolution, #MongKokCivilUnrest, #LocalConsciousness and #HongKongIndependenceClaims.
In November 2020, then-Secretary of Education, Kevin Yeung, announced to reform the Senior Secondary Liberal Studies (LS) syllabus. Course content was re-organised, and some were removed in order to grow students’ national identity with a mainland visit opportunity.
Less than a year later, the new subject “Citizenship and Social Development” replaced LS in school curricula. However, its textbooks were only approved in June 2022. Journalists discovered that the new books did not only modify a few photos or comics, but completely overthrew statements made in past textbooks. Notable changes include stating that Hong Kong was “not a #colony”, and the #AntiELAB movement was “an illegal incident that is violent and endangers national security”.
In the new era of Hong Kong, are the textbooks becoming "politically correct"? InMedia found #LiberalStudies textbooks published between 2014 and 2020, and compared them to the new #CitizenshipandSocialDevelopment textbooks.
Under the new syllabus, concepts including "#CivilDisobedience", "Separation of Powers", "4 levels of the Rule of Law" and "Multiple identities" are removed. Topics that took their place are #NationalSecurity, #NationalIdentity, and #NationalAchievement. The topic of Rule of Law no longer covered #RestrictionofLaw, #HumanRightProtection without affecting others’ rights, social order and national security.
Additional materials are taken mainly from official government sources, such as Information Service Department and blogs of government officials. Students are no longer required to discuss topics with controversial views. They only need to answer questions such as “Why does the National People's Congress interpreting the law not affect judiciary independence?”
Source: InMedia #Sep04
https://bit.ly/3wUtMww
See also:
Hong Kong Schools Schedule National Security Education Activities, Mainland Exchange Tours
https://t.me/BeWaterHK/1006
#NationalSecurityLaw #NationalEducation #RewritingHistory
HK Police Forced Restaurant to Stop Business and Take Down "Sensitive" Wishing Notes
Hong Kong police had forced a noodle shop to suspend business until it removes customers' wishing notes with "sensitive wordings".
The restaurant, Betsutenjin Hakata Ramen in Tsim Sha Tsui, had a wall where customers could write their wishes on stickers resembling prayer plaques at Japanese shrines. Many wishes were related to the 2019 #AntiELAB protests, and the pro-democracy shop owner had left them up in the two years since as a record of the times.
However, police received a tip from a woman who alleged that the shop was displaying slogans that violate the #NationalSecurityLaw, Officers arrived and verbally warned the owner, who agreed to remove the offending messages on their own. Police listed the incident under "miscellaneous" and made no arrests, nor sent the National Security Department for follow-up.
Restaurant staff told Ming Pao that police had visited during the busy dinner hours, and demanded customers to leave the shop immediately. The staff had since removed over a hundred notes and resumed business the next day. The notes had only been used for decoration, they said, and no new notes had been added since the National Security Law came into effect in 2020.
The shop apologized to its customers with a Facebook post for having to take down its wishing wall after persisting for 3 years. The staff had read every single wish left by the customers, the post said; "We will not forget a single word from everyone."
From previous photos on the shop's Facebook page, some customers' wishing notes included "disband the police", "China implode", and "6.12" [ed: commemorating the date when protesters stopped the passing of the ELAB bill]. After the police visit, only a few stickers remain that read, "Hong Kong, add oil."
Source: Ming Pao #Nov16
https://bit.ly/3CMXOoF
Betsutenjin Hakata Ramen Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ramenbetsu/posts/pfbid0GUZuVz89q1BA1LZLBw3aWMgPBQXjtgm4Wmqx2JZuhsuGP8C2vHmJ9nr8siew9U2ql
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #harassment #suppression #YellowEconomy
Hong Kong police had forced a noodle shop to suspend business until it removes customers' wishing notes with "sensitive wordings".
The restaurant, Betsutenjin Hakata Ramen in Tsim Sha Tsui, had a wall where customers could write their wishes on stickers resembling prayer plaques at Japanese shrines. Many wishes were related to the 2019 #AntiELAB protests, and the pro-democracy shop owner had left them up in the two years since as a record of the times.
However, police received a tip from a woman who alleged that the shop was displaying slogans that violate the #NationalSecurityLaw, Officers arrived and verbally warned the owner, who agreed to remove the offending messages on their own. Police listed the incident under "miscellaneous" and made no arrests, nor sent the National Security Department for follow-up.
Restaurant staff told Ming Pao that police had visited during the busy dinner hours, and demanded customers to leave the shop immediately. The staff had since removed over a hundred notes and resumed business the next day. The notes had only been used for decoration, they said, and no new notes had been added since the National Security Law came into effect in 2020.
The shop apologized to its customers with a Facebook post for having to take down its wishing wall after persisting for 3 years. The staff had read every single wish left by the customers, the post said; "We will not forget a single word from everyone."
From previous photos on the shop's Facebook page, some customers' wishing notes included "disband the police", "China implode", and "6.12" [ed: commemorating the date when protesters stopped the passing of the ELAB bill]. After the police visit, only a few stickers remain that read, "Hong Kong, add oil."
Source: Ming Pao #Nov16
https://bit.ly/3CMXOoF
Betsutenjin Hakata Ramen Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ramenbetsu/posts/pfbid0GUZuVz89q1BA1LZLBw3aWMgPBQXjtgm4Wmqx2JZuhsuGP8C2vHmJ9nr8siew9U2ql
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #harassment #suppression #YellowEconomy
明報新聞網 - 每日明報 daily news
拉麵店指警趕食客 令除舖內涉違國安字眼貼紙 - 20221116 - 要聞
【明報專訊】警方前日曾到被視為「黃店」的尖沙嘴日式拉麵店「博多拉麵別天神」，要求餐廳清理所有「具敏感字眼」的繪馬貼紙才可繼續營業，職員指曾被警告觸犯《港區國安法》的後果。負責人表示已清理涉及2019年示威相關的繪馬，對此感可惜，形容只是紀錄，讓食客寫下願望，惟「現在不但不可許願，甚至『封廟』要求拆除」。
UK-Based HongKonger's Groups Criticised pro-Beijing Organisations Cleansing the National Security Law with Human-sea Tactics
The 73rd Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Conference will be held within 2 weeks. UK-based HongKongers organisations found that many pro-Beijing organisations submit reports to this conference, strongly promoting the National Security Law (#NSL). They intended to rationalise the fact of Beijing’s corrosion to the rights in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Scots, a UK-based HongKongers’ organisation, indicated that Beijing utilised Human-sea tactic after being criticised in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights last year to promote the suppression of Hong Kong people in the United Nations. As the submitted content from various groups of people is similar, it is suspected to interfere with the trial of Hong Kong Human Rights in the United Nations, demonstrating “head count takes over the truth with limited evidence”.
#UnitedNation #UN #NationalSecurityLaw #HumanRights #HongKongScots
Source: The Chaser News #Feb01
https://www.patreon.com/posts/78007112
The 73rd Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Conference will be held within 2 weeks. UK-based HongKongers organisations found that many pro-Beijing organisations submit reports to this conference, strongly promoting the National Security Law (#NSL). They intended to rationalise the fact of Beijing’s corrosion to the rights in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Scots, a UK-based HongKongers’ organisation, indicated that Beijing utilised Human-sea tactic after being criticised in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights last year to promote the suppression of Hong Kong people in the United Nations. As the submitted content from various groups of people is similar, it is suspected to interfere with the trial of Hong Kong Human Rights in the United Nations, demonstrating “head count takes over the truth with limited evidence”.
#UnitedNation #UN #NationalSecurityLaw #HumanRights #HongKongScots
Source: The Chaser News #Feb01
https://www.patreon.com/posts/78007112
HK Government Proposes to Allow Overturning Not-Guilty Verdicts in National Security Cases
The Department of Justice has proposed amending the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, allowing for appeals through the "case stated" procedure in cases under the #NationalSecurityLaw heard in the High Court without a jury. Even if three designated #NSL judges acquit the defendant, the Department of Justice can appeal to overturn the verdict of acquittal or to remand the case for a retrial.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam spoke to the Legislative Council regarding the amendment, stating that "the injustice caused by acquitting the guilty is no less than convicting the innocent." He also mentioned that if a defendant in an NSL case receives an "erroneous verdict of acquittal," it could lead to extremely serious consequences.
Currently, in cases with a jury trial in the High Court, if the jury reaches a verdict of acquittal, the Department of Justice can only seek clarification on points of law without intervening to overturn the verdict. However, in cases heard in the District Court and Magistrates' Courts, the Department of Justice can present a "case stated" appeal and have the opportunity to overturn an acquittal.
Lam described the current situation as "abnormal", particularly in cases involving the NSL. He claimed that the government has a responsibility to address the issues encountered in the local legal system while assisting in the "perfecting" of the NSL's implementation.
Source: In-Media HK #May22
https://bit.ly/41X9rn0
#DoubleJeopardy #RightToFairTrial
The Department of Justice has proposed amending the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, allowing for appeals through the "case stated" procedure in cases under the #NationalSecurityLaw heard in the High Court without a jury. Even if three designated #NSL judges acquit the defendant, the Department of Justice can appeal to overturn the verdict of acquittal or to remand the case for a retrial.
Secretary for Justice Paul Lam spoke to the Legislative Council regarding the amendment, stating that "the injustice caused by acquitting the guilty is no less than convicting the innocent." He also mentioned that if a defendant in an NSL case receives an "erroneous verdict of acquittal," it could lead to extremely serious consequences.
Currently, in cases with a jury trial in the High Court, if the jury reaches a verdict of acquittal, the Department of Justice can only seek clarification on points of law without intervening to overturn the verdict. However, in cases heard in the District Court and Magistrates' Courts, the Department of Justice can present a "case stated" appeal and have the opportunity to overturn an acquittal.
Lam described the current situation as "abnormal", particularly in cases involving the NSL. He claimed that the government has a responsibility to address the issues encountered in the local legal system while assisting in the "perfecting" of the NSL's implementation.
Source: In-Media HK #May22
https://bit.ly/41X9rn0
#DoubleJeopardy #RightToFairTrial