#Statement #Save12HKYouths
Hong Kong's Maritime Transport Services Industry Trade Union Demands Authorities to Release Data from Navigation Surveillance Radar

The full statement is as follows:

//12 Hong Kong residents are suspected of being arrested by the Guangdong Coast Guard within Hong Kong’s waters. Our association requests the Hong Kong Marine Department to release the navigation surveillance radar information and data as evidence.

The Chinese Coast Guard on August 26 announced in WeChat that on August 23 at about 9 o'clock, they intercepted a suspected illegal cross-border vessel in Chinese waters just outside Hong Kong southeast and detained 12 Hong Kong residents.

Our association demands the Hong Kong Marine Department to release the radar images of the navigation surveillance system as evidence to substantiate the actual position of the vessel at the time, verifying whether the Guangdong Coast Guard had cross-border enforcement. It will also serve to relieve the general public’s concerns and to protect the safety of local marine operators and passengers. //

Source: Maritime Transport Services Industry Trade Union
#Sept15

https://www.facebook.com/100569554925878/posts/180916443557855/

#Statement #PressFreedom #Unfreedom
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong Speaks Up for Press Freedom for All; China Spokeperson: "There is no absolute press freedom that is above the law"

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong (#FCCHK) issued a statement on Sept 23, 2020, opposing to the police's restrictive new accreditation policy for journalists in Hong Kong.

The FCCHK described the police's move as "another step in the erosion of Hong Kong’s once cherished press freedom as it would give the police — rather than reporters and editors — the power to determine who covers the police".

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club challenged if The Hong Kong police is, as they claimed in their letter, "always respect press freedom and their rights of journalists."

The FCCHK said, "If that is the case, they should welcome free and unfettered access to their operations, and should encourage open reporting instead of trying to restrict the number of journalists covering its operations. A force that is proud of its discipline and confident its officers follow established protocols and guidelines should have nothing to fear from the spotlight journalists shine on it."

On the same day, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Hong Kong condemned the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong for "meddling with Hong Kong affairs". In their statement, China claimed that there is "no absolute press freedom in the world that is above the law"; "Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong"; and "to engage in journalism in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, one must strictly abide by the laws of China and HKSAR and consciously accept legal supervision."

Source: FCCHK; RTHK #Sept23

https://www.fcchk.org/fcc-opposes-hong-kong-police-accreditation-process-for-journalists/

#ForeignMinistry #China

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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/

Journalism Schools and Student Reporters Groups Denounce Police’s attempt to Re-define “Media Representatives”

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25470

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

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25450

#IFJ #Statement #PressFreedom
International Federation of Journalists Condemn Hong Kong Authorities For Imposing State Control Over Journalists

"This is another level of state control clearly at odds with press freedom. It also shows the excessive overreach by authorities against journalists and media workers in Hong Kong in a bid to control critical media coverage.

The IFJ strongly objects to any move to limit access to journalists and the narrowing of the definition of a journalist as dictated by police which have no capacity to make such a determination without the consultation of journalists.”

Source: International Federation of Journalists #Sept23

https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/press-releases/article/hong-kong-police-amend-definition-of-journalist-to-restrict-access.html

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Joint Statement by Over 48 Online News Outlets, Sept 22, 2020: "We Will Keep Reporting"

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

#Statement #PressFreedom
Hong Kong Jounalists and Press Unions might Take Legal Action in a bid to Safeguard Press Freedom

Journalists, media groups and unions in Hong Kong have voiced opposition to HK Police’s unilateral redefinition of “Media Representative” in Police General Orders.

Source: Apple Daily; RTHK #Sept24

https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20200924/PHQEAFUSFFGHTNPZ577DELK46U/

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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25500

#Statement #PressFreedom
Hong Kong Jounalists and Press Unions might Take Legal Action in a bid to Safeguard Press Freedom

Journalists, media groups and unions in Hong Kong have voiced opposition to HK Police’s unilateral redefinition of “Media Representative” in Police General Orders.

In a press conference held on September 24, 2020, eight media unions called on all media organizations to stand in solidarity against the police's latest act. They pointed out that it is evident that the police is treating the media as their enemy.

The vice-chairman of Hong Kong Journalists' Association (#HKJA) Ronson Chan said that the Association was currently seeking legal opinions and might submit a judicial review.

The Association condemned the police for misleading the public over the 'benefits' of the amendment. Chan emphasized that the change of definition would restrict news reporting in all areas, cordoned or not.

The Association also rejected the police’s accusation of “fake journalists” which has no factual backup.

The HKJA Chairman Chris Yeung expressed worries over the police's treatment of the press. Yeung challenged he police's subjective claim of assisting the reporters when their operation efficiency is not undermined.

The HKJA raised 3 demands:

1. The police must immediately withdraw the amendment; otherwise, the Association would seek solution via possible legal actions.

2. The police shall stop imposing restrictions on media arrangements by setting up interview areas and cordoned areas.

3. It is hoped that the police will respect press freedom and the right of media as it has openly pledged.

Civil Rights Watch also issued a statement expressing grave concern over the police's violation of press freedom guaranteed by the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Watch pointed out that police’s act will create “unreasonable obstacles to front-line journalists”, undermining personal safety and legal rights of the press.

Source: Apple Daily; RTHK #Sept24
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20200924/PHQEAFUSFFGHTNPZ577DELK46U/


Related News
==================
International Federation of Journalists Condemn Hong Kong Authorities For Imposing State Control Over Journalists
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25484

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/

Journalism Schools and Student Reporters Groups Denounce Police’s attempt to Re-define “Media Representatives”
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25470

8 Press Associations and Unions in Hong Kong Call On HK Police to Withdraw Unilateral Revision of "Media Representative"
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25450

#Britain: China Breaches #JointDeclaration; #EU: China Contradicts its International Commitments

Britain released a second #statement in response to "Beijing’s imposition of new rules to disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong".

British foreign minister Dominic Raab called it "a clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration".

The statement said, "China has once again broken its promises and undermined Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. The UK will stand up for the people of Hong Kong, and call out violations of their rights and freedoms. With our international partners, we will hold China to the obligations it freely assumed under international law."

The European Union also comdemned China for "further significantly undermin[ing] Hong Kong’s autonomy under the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, contrary to China’s international commitments."

Source: UK Foreign Secretary; EU #Nov12

Image: InMedia

#Statement
#EU Condemns Govt's Crackdown in HK

The EU defends the legislative primaries partaken by the pro-democratic population in Hong Kong as "political activity that should be entirely legitimate in any political system that respects basic democratic principles".

The EU condemns the Hong Kong and the Chinese authorities for using the #NationalSecurityLaw to "stifle political pluralism ... and the exercise of human rights and political freedoms".

The EU calls for the release of the arrestees and urges the authorities to "respect Hong Kong’s rule of law, human rights, democratic principles and high degree of autonomy under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, as enshrined in the Hong Kong Basic Law and in line with domestic and international obligations".

Source: European Union #Jan7
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/01/07/hong-kong-declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-mass-arrest-of-people-involved-in-the-july-2020-pro-democracy-primary-elections/

#Statement

Japan famous Kōhaku 2021 showed Hong Kong’s Anti-Government Protest

Source: #Likejapan_Owen

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China hits back after EU official joins call for cooperation on pandemic origins probe

A joint statement asks Beijing ‘to reconsider its decision to not engage in the WHO’s proposal for the next phase of the COVID-19 origins study.’

In a veiled warning to Brussels, Chinese officials urged Wednesday an end to "politicizing the issue of origins tracing" amid growing pressure on Beijing to allow for a more thorough investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

The statement, made by China's mission to the EU, comes after Research and Innovation Commissioner Mariya Gabriel added her name on Tuesday to a group of scientific experts and government representatives from the U.S., Australia and Japan. In a statement, they called on the "Chinese government to reconsider its decision to not engage in the World Health Organization's proposal for the next phase of the COVID-19 origins study."

Source: Politico #Jul28

https://t.co/PRgbH8QYkw

#EU #Statement #China #Covid19

#Statement
#G7, #EU and the #Five Eyes Express Concerns Over China's Control of Hong Kong #LegCoElection

Source: Hong Kong Watch #Dec21

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#Statement
#G7, #EU and the #Five Eyes Express Concerns Over China's Control of Hong Kong #LegCoElection

//The Five Eyes and G7 together with the high representatives of the European Union, have issued joint statements expressing deep concern that the Chinese Communist Party has taken away the few remaining democratic elements of Hong Kong's electoral system.

Both statements pointed out that the newly reformed electoral system, with fewer directly elected seats and new vetting procedures that restrict voter choice, undermines the high degree of autonomy promised to Hong Kong in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Both joint statements call on China to act in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration and other legal obligations, and to respect the basic human rights and freedoms of Hong Kong as promised in the Basic Law.

They also called on the Chinese and Hong Kong governments to stop suppressing dissenting voices and to stop unreasonably suppressing those who advocate democratic values and defend freedom and human rights.//

[Editor's notes: The Five Eyes countries are the US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The G7 countries are US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.]

Read the statements by the UK Foreign Ministry:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-issues-joint-statement-with-international-partners-on-hong-kong-elections-20-december-2021

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/g7-foreign-ministers-issue-joint-statement-on-hong-kong-elections

Source: Hong Kong Watch #Dec21
https://www.facebook.com/HongKongWatchOrg/posts/4540172279436543

#HongKongWatch #LegcoElection #FakeElection

#Statement
#HKJA expresses deep concern on the arrest of directors and senior staff of #StandNews

Source: InMedia; Hong Kong Journalists Association #Dec29

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#Statement
#HKJA expresses deep concern on the arrest of directors and senior staff of #StandNews

The national security police arrested at least six current or former directors and senior staff of The Stand News on Dec 29 on suspicion of “conspiracy to distribute seditious publications” and are still searching the offices of Stand News on the late morning.

In a statement, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) is "deeply concerned that the police have repeatedly arrested senior members of the media and searched the offices of news organizations containing large quantities of journalistic materials within a year."

The HKJA also "urges the government to protect press freedom in accordance with the Basic Law."

In addition, HKJA expressed that it "has learned that Ronson Chan Ron-sing, the deputy assignment editor of Stand News and the chairman of HKJA, was also taken away by the police this morning. We are investigating the incident and have no further comment at this time, but will announce any new information in due course."

Source: InMedia; Hong Kong Journalists Association #Dec29
https://www.hkja.org.hk/en/statements/statement-hkja-expresses-deep-concern-on-the-arrest-of-directors-and-senior-staff-of-the-stand-news/

#PoliticalOppression #FreedomOfSpeech #Crackdown #PressFreedom #MediaLandscape #PoliceState #Regime #Arrest

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Related News:

Hong Kong National Security raid pro-democracy newspaper, arrested 6 senior staff
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31751

Hong Kong Authorities' #Crackdown on #StandNews
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31752