#Unfreedom #Oppression
Civil servants warned to refrain from partaking in pro-democracy rallies rejected by HK Police

The Hong Kong police has recently banned the application made by the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) for a protest on October 1, 2020, a public holiday in Hong Kong for the Lantern Festival as well as PRC's national day.

A day ahead of now-banned-rally, Civil Service Secretary Patrick Nip Tak-kuen urged civil servants not to take part in any unauthorised assemblies during the mid-autumn and National Day festivities.

In a letter sent to civil servants on September 30, Nip said that as of the end of September, 46 civil servants have been suspended for either getting arrested for taking part in illegal public activities, or being under police investigation, or being prosecuted.

He said the government attaches great importance to the conduct of civil servants, and have zero tolerance for those who violate the law.

Source: RTHK #Sept30
https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1552429-20200930.htm?spTabChangeable=0

#FreedomofExpression

======
Related News

HK Police asks rally organizer to follow theme park's entrance practice and hand in names of rally participants
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25613

#FirstHand #Mar1 #GoHKInterview
Pro-democracy Activist #FigoChan: I Am Sure We Won't Give Up

Read our English Transcript here:
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28861

#FirstHand #Mar1 #GoHKInterview
Pro-democracy Activist #FigoChan: I Am Sure We Won't Give Up

Watch Video:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28860

Figo Chan (陳皓桓), activist and convener of the organization Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF), spoke to our reporter on March 1, 2021 outside West Kowloon magistrates court regarding the hearing of 47 pro-democracy candidates.

The group was charged with "conspiracy to commit subversion" under the #NationalSecurityLaw. The court is currently in session and Figo Chan believes that “it will take a long time since there are quite a number of accused, if each of their lawyers shall speak, it will definitely take until the afternoon.”

Chan said that “I am sure the supporters who are queueing in front of the court right now and those who are not here at the moment will not give up. I hope that we will all continue to persist and speak out."

He added, "Even though the government has restricted us from going on protests and rallies, we still found a way to queue up and vocally support those inside; the government has stopped us from voting, yet we found a way to “vote” with our presence by coming out here.”

“I believe those in court, in jail and those who might be charged and sentenced in the future will persist, so we shouldn’t give up on hope, I am sure it will be okay if we all stand strong on what we believe.”

When asked about his thoughts on whether the accused may be granted bail, Chan replied saying that “I really don’t know how to evaluate the situation right now since Hong Kong has become so absurd. Even organizing an unofficial primary poll can be considered to be a conspiracy to commit subversion, and it seems that the chances of them being granted bail are slim."

"I know that the world can get more and more absurd each day , but as long as we, the people, remain logical and stand strong on what we believe is right, I think it will be okay.”

Chan was also asked whether he has anything he would like to say to Hong Kong supporters overseas. “I know that the Hong Kong citizens who have moved abroad and the overseas supporters must be feeling very powerless and hopeless right now. They must be sad because of how their home has become."

"But I want to emphasize that there are still a lot of people in Hong Kong who are still persisting on, many of us who are still here haven't given up yet. It doesn’t matter where you are, as long as we all continue to speak out for freedom and democracy, we will be able to get the democracy we fight for."

"If we can speak out for the citizens in Myanmar, in turn, those in other countries can definitely support those in Hong Kong. So I believe we must all stand strong, persist, and never give up,” said Figo Chan.

Source: First Hand

====
More first-hand interview of the day:

"Jail First, Trial Later": Ex-Lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan in Hong Kong Blasts National Security Trial for Lack of Due Process

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28864


#Interview #Court #PoliticalPersecution #NeverGiveUp #HongkongersVoices #StandWithHongKong #StandwithMyanmar
#FightforFreedom

#Court #PoliticalSuppression
#EU Office to Hong Kong and Macau Expresses “Great Concern” Over Ongoing Prosecution of Pro-democracy Figures

The #EuropeanUnion Office to Hong Kong and Macau posted on Twitter on the evening of April 1, 2021 to express great concern about the ongoing prosecution of political figures in Hong Kong.

The Office also said that it had sent staff to listen to the hearing of the 7 democratic activists who were found guilty on April 1, 2021 and would continue to monitor the development of the situation for possible future actions.

On August 18, 2021, the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) held a "running assembly" in #VictoriaPark in Hong Kong. Martin Lee Chu-ming, founding chairman of the #DemocraticParty, Jimmy Lai Chee-Ying, founder of #AppleDaily, were among the 7 pro-democracy activists who have been convicted of organizing and participating in unauthorized assembly.

Charles Whiteley, Deputy Head of the European Union Office of Hong Kong and Macau, was also present in court on April 1, 2021. He mentioned that the EU is highly concerned about these cases and will closely monitor the situation in Hong Kong.

Source: Stand News #April1

https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/8-18-%E7%B6%AD%E5%9C%92%E6%A1%88-%E6%AD%90%E7%9B%9F%E6%B8%AF%E6%BE%B3%E8%BE%A7%E4%BA%8B%E8%99%95%E6%B4%BE%E5%93%A1%E8%81%BD%E8%A3%81%E6%B1%BA-%E9%AB%98%E5%BA%A6%E9%97%9C%E6%B3%A8-%E6%9C%AC%E6%B8%AF%E6%8C%81%E7%BA%8C%E6%AA%A2%E6%8E%A7%E6%94%BF%E6%B2%BB%E4%BA%BA%E7%89%A9/

#EU #47democrats #PoliceState #HongKongProtests

#PoliceState #PoliticalPersecution
HK Police Accuses Pro-Democracy Group of Breaching Societies Ordinance

The Hong Kong police have accused the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF), a pro-democracy group which organizes protests including the annual July 1 rally and many large-scale protests duting the 2019 Anti-ELAB movement, of breaching the Societies Ordinance.

In a Facebook post on April 26, 2021, CHRF convenor Figo Chan said they received aletter sent from the police. The police claimed that the group had been "de-registered" under the Societies Ordinance in 2006, two months after its application was approved. The police thereby accused the group of violating the Societies Ordinance.

The police demanded information including financial records and activity details since the group's establishment in 2006.

Source: InMedia #Apr26
https://bit.ly/3sMAjEw

#Court #PoliticalPrisoners
10 veteran pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong plead guilty over 'National Mourning Day' Protest in 2019; 'Long Hair' Appears in Court with Short Hair

In Hong Kong court on May 17, 2021, ten heavy-weight pro-democracy activists pleaded guilty to "organising an unauthorised protest" on October 1, 2019.

They are former legislators 'long hair' #LeungKwokHung, #AlbertHo, #LeeCheukYan, #YeungSum, #CydHo and #SinChungKai; #AppleDaily founder #JimmyLai; and activists #FigoChan, #AveryNg and #RichardTsoi. That day marked the 'National Mourning Day' protest on the establishment day of the PRC during the Anti-ELAB movement

Among the defendants, convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) Figo Chan, 'long hair' Leung Kwok-hung, Albert Ho, and Lee Cheuk-yan also pleaded guilty to "inciting" others on September 30, 2019 to take part in the protest.

When '#LongHair' Leung Kwok-hung appeared in court on May 17, 2021, his signature long hair has been cut short. Leung is currently serving his sentence in Stanley Prison for organizing and participating in an 'unauthorized' assembly on August 18, 2019.

The last time he was seen in short hair was in 2014 when serving a 4-week sentence after being convicted of 'causing chaos' in the Legislative Council in 2011. Then, Leung was forced to cut away his long hair due to the appearance policy of the correctional services.

Leung later filed a legal review, pointing out that it is discriminatory when female inmates are allowed to keep long hair while male inmates are not. In November 2020, the Court of Final Appeal approved Leung's review.

Nevertheless, on February 1, 2021, the Department of Correctional Services implemented a new policy where inmates, regardless of their gender, cannot keep their hair beyond their shoulder's length.

Source: InMedia #May17
https://bit.ly/3waOe9r

#PoliticalSuppression #HumanitarianCrisis #CorrectionalServices #NationalMourning

#PoliticalProsecution #Injustice
Hong Kong #Court Sends More Pro-demoracy Activists to Jail: At Least 20 Months for Jimmy Lai and 22 Months for '#LongHair'

Ten Hong Kong pro-democracy politicians and activists were sentenced to jail for 14 to 18 months on May 28, 2021, after the court convicted them of organizing and joining an "unauthorised protest" on October 1, 2019, which was the national day of the People's Republic of China. Back then, the participating pro-democracy ptotesters described the day as the "#NationalMourningDay".

District Court judge Amanda Woodcock claimed that the defendants' wish for a peaceful protest is "naive" and "unrealistic".

Former legislators #AlbertHo, #LeeCheukYan and 'Long Hair' #LeungKwokHung and Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) convenor #FigoChan received a 18-month jail term.

AppleDaily founder #JimmyLai, former legislators #CydHo and #YeungSum, and former League of Social Democrats (#LSD) chairman #AveryNg were sentenced to 14 months in jail.

Only former legislator #SinChungKai and activist #RichardTsoi received suspended jail terms.

With their existing prison terms from other cases, Jimmy Lai and Lee Cheuk-yan are currently serving 20 months in prison in total while that of Leung Kwok-hung has accumulated to 22 months at the moment.

In the courtroom, some pro-democracy supporters chanted "fight on". From the defendants' seats, Leung Kwok-hung called out "Remember June 4th [Tiananmen Massacre]", while Figo Chan shout "mourn on June 4, speak out on July 1".

Source: Stand News #May26
https://bit.ly/3yL3FqT

#PoliticalPrisoner #Sentence #PoliceState #June4 #TiananmenMassacre #NationalDay

#PoliticalProsecution #PoliticalPrisoner
#Letter from Jailed Activist #FigoChan: "As long as we keep our faith, we can advance through adversity together"

Figo Chan, League of Social Democrats committee member and vice-convener of Civil Human Rights Front, was handed a heavy sentence of 18 months for organising a march on Oct 1 2019, which the police deemed an unlawful assembly.

Before his sentence was announced, Chan wrote an open letter to Hong Kongers to thank them for giving their all to fight for democracy, freedom, human rights and justice.

He also said that, although Hong Kongers have a tough road ahead, “don’t forget, the seeds we've sown will certainly lead to a harvest in the future."

In the letter he wrote on May 22, 2021, Chan thanked Hong Kongers for their effort that raised worldwide attention to the Anti-ELAB movement and forced the government to withdraw the act. He felt “proud and touched”.

He also mentioned, although more and more activists are sentenced to prison for violating the National Anthem Ordinance and the National Security Law, Hong Kongers should persist in their belief.

“The road to democracy is very long. As long as we keep our faith, we can advance through adversity together. One day, we will meet again under the pot (Legislature Council Complex)."

Now that Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) is facing the risk of being banned by the government, Chan said that although he is being imprisoned, “I still insist that CHRF will not disband until the end. I also hope everyone will still keep fighting for Hong Kong, and speak up on June 4, July 1, etc on behalf of the arrested, exiled, in the name of freedom”.

In closing, he wrote: “There is hope as long as we are still here. Five demands, not one less! May glory be to Hong Kong.”

Source: Apple Daily #May28
https://bit.ly/2RQxGVP

#PoliceState #Court #NeverGiveUp #AntiELAB #HongKongProtests

#PoliceState
#July1 protest organiser: As long as Hongkongers refuse to forget, echoes will reach us one day

For the first time in 18 years, the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) will not submit an approval request to the Hong Kong police regarding the annual pro-democracy July 1 march.

According to the acting convenor Chung Chong-fai, the Civil Human Rights Front has stopped operating since its convenor Figo Chan has been jailed in May concerning a pro-democracy protest on October 1, 2019.

Chung said the Front will elect a new convenor in September 2021.

Chung added, many groups will organize street booths on July 1: "Even if the Front has finished its historical mission, it doesn't mean Hongkongers will stop speaking up."

"As long as Hongkongers refuse to forget, echoes will reach us one day," Chung reminded his fellow citizens.

Source: Stand New #Jun20
https://bit.ly/3qapvQZ

#HongKongProtests

#FailedState #Suppression #WhiteTerror
Another Civil Group disbands over 'suppression' in Hong Kong in one week

The front was founded in 2002, and was the organiser of some of the largest protests in the city – including the annual July 1 demonstrations and a number of anti-extradition law rallies in 2019.

The front’s convenor, Figo Chan, was jailed in May for 18 months over an unauthorised protest in 2019. He had written an open letter at the time saying “the road ahead will be difficult”, but the front will hang on “to the last minute”.

#CHRF #HKPTU

Source: inmediahk.net; RTHK; #Aug15

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

#FailedState #Suppression #HKProtest
Another Civil group disbands over 'suppression' in Hong Kong in one week

Just five days after the disbandment of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union (#HKPTU), another well-respected pro-democracy community group, the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF) also announced that it is disbanding today (August 15), both citing immense pressure amid radical social and political changes causing the group no longer to operate.

“Unfortunately, for the past year or so, the government repeatedly used the pandemic as a pretext to reject the Front and other organisations’ applications to hold rallies.” “Our member groups were suppressed, and civil society is facing unprecedented challenges,” the #CHRF statement read.

"The Front had wanted to maintain its operations and brace the difficulties with everyone else. But our convenor Figo Chan is already incarcerated over numerous cases. The secretariat can no longer operate, and since no one had indicated they will take over, [the Front] has no choice but to disband," the statement said.

Representatives of its member groups attended a meeting on August 13 and had unanimously decided to dissolve with immediate effect. A remaining fund of HK$1.6 million assets will be donated to suitable organisations.

“We thank the Hong Kong people for walking side by side with the Front in the past 19 years.” The statement continued that HongKongers’ participation in the mass protests organised by the Front had “allowed the world to see Hong Kong, allowed light to shine through darkness, and had sewn the seed of democracy and freedom in people’s heart.”

Responding to the group’s disbandment, the Hong Kong Police continued to challenge the group’s operation has been “illegal”, reiterated that the group and its members remain criminally liable for the offence committed, regardless of the disbandment or the resignation of its members.

On Aug 13, Police chief Raymond Siu warned during an interview with CCP mouthpiece Ta Kung Pao that police had gathered all evidence necessary “to take action against the illegal organisation anytime.”

Siu's warning came even though the group had not organised any protests since the national security law came into force last July.

Source: inmediahk.net, RTHK; #Aug15
https://bit.ly/3m55b3e

Related Articles

The Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union Disbands After Attacks by Beijing and Hong Kong Authorities
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30766

[Union Disbanded] #EducationBureau Chief Calls Hong Kong Teachers to "Reconsider" If the Pro-democracy Union Represents Themselves
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30762

#Court
No Regrets to Civil Disobedience after "Watching my Fears Become Reality": #FigoChan and 7 Pro-Dem Leaders Plead Guilty to Unlawful Assembly

Figo Chan, former convenor of Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF), pleaded guilty to participating and organizing an unlawful assembly on July 1, 2020, the day on which the National Security Law took effect.

Also charged were 7 other pro-democracy leaders, including former legislators Leung Kwok-hung (#LongHair), Wu Chi-wai, and Eddie Chu.

Their case was heard in court on October 7, 2021. Among the eight being charged, seven of them pleaded guilty to the charges, in obedience of the principles of civil disobedience.

In his petition to the court, Chan said that after watching videos of that day's protests, he felt that Hong Kong had become unfamiliar since that day.

"[Hong Kong] only permits voices that support the government, and continually suppresses those who do not," he said. "As a result, numerous political parties and civic organizations disband one after another, Hongkongers have left the city in droves, and freedom and rights due to citizens are gradually disappearing."

"Looking back and watching my fears become reality, how could I regret speaking up through peaceful civil disobedience and protest?"

"May Hongkongers keep hope in our hearts", he added. "Let's hang on to each other and get through these difficult times."

Source: Stand News #Oct7
https://bit.ly/3uQwy3m

#CivilDisobedience #NationalSecurityLaw #July1March #Solidarity

#PoliceState
Police Charge Imprisoned CHRF's Convener Figo Chan for Violating Societies Ordinance

While in jail, Figo Chan, the former convener of the Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF), was charged by the police under the Societies Ordinance, for not supplying information about the now-disbanded group.

Police confirms that they had charged a 25-year-old man for not supplying information the police requested about the group, including names of members, activities, and funds.

This request came after a police letter to CHRF in April 2021 accusing it to be an "unregistered society". The group publicly responded to the accusation on April 4, 2021, pointing out that the Front had applied and received letters of no objection from the police for the peaceful, non-violent assemblies and marches they held over many years.

Following the latest charge to Figo Chan, police searched a number of premises of the CHRF on October 28, 2021, including the office of the League of Social Democrats. The League's chairperson said, however, the League and the CHRF are two different groups.

Source: Stand News #Oct29
https://thestandnews.page.link/hR4EgHkqzYfVDtTG7

#SocietiesOrdinance #PoliticalProsecution #Jail