#PoliticalSuppression #Censorship
More Hong Kong Teachers Resign, as #WhiteTerror Sweeps Campuses
A wave of resignation is sweeping the Education sector in Hong Kong.
Apple Daily got in touch with one of these resigning teachers in the city. Ms Chan, a veteran secondary school teacher for over 10 years, said there was an atmosphere of terror in schools.
“We have been more cautious in our talk. We even stopped using social media all together. I genuinely believed there was freedom of speech. But in fact, there really are cases of warning due to online comments we've made.”
She revealed she won’t use current affairs as examples. “After all I don’t know what students think. I can be teaching about length, when I talked of the differences between miles and kilometres. But if I said 10 miles and 10 km are different*, would someone think I am mocking the police?”
*Editor's Note: On September 23, 2019, a police officer in Hong Kong ordered journalists to stand “10 miles” away, when he actually meant 10 metres.
Source: Apple Daily #May9
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210509/6QPJX7CLH5C6ZBZU5K5UCLQZ5E/
#PoliceState #Education #HongKongTeachers #HongKongStudents #RedLine
More Hong Kong Teachers Resign, as #WhiteTerror Sweeps Campuses
A wave of resignation is sweeping the Education sector in Hong Kong.
Apple Daily got in touch with one of these resigning teachers in the city. Ms Chan, a veteran secondary school teacher for over 10 years, said there was an atmosphere of terror in schools.
“We have been more cautious in our talk. We even stopped using social media all together. I genuinely believed there was freedom of speech. But in fact, there really are cases of warning due to online comments we've made.”
She revealed she won’t use current affairs as examples. “After all I don’t know what students think. I can be teaching about length, when I talked of the differences between miles and kilometres. But if I said 10 miles and 10 km are different*, would someone think I am mocking the police?”
*Editor's Note: On September 23, 2019, a police officer in Hong Kong ordered journalists to stand “10 miles” away, when he actually meant 10 metres.
Source: Apple Daily #May9
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210509/6QPJX7CLH5C6ZBZU5K5UCLQZ5E/
#PoliceState #Education #HongKongTeachers #HongKongStudents #RedLine
Red lines must be drawn more clearly to reaffirm press freedom in Hong Kong
Life in Hong Kong under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law is not quite a year old. But it has reached a watershed with the national security raids on Apple Daily’s office and the arrests of its executives. The most frequently cited cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success is “the rule of law”.
Another value often coupled with it is “a free flow of information”. So fundamental is this to the city’s way of life that it is safeguarded in the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, with guarantees of freedom of speech, of the press and of publication.
Source: SCMP #Jun19
https://t.co/iIbjJs7KSp
#RedLine #Beijing #NationalSecurityLaw #Press #Freedom #HongKong
Life in Hong Kong under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law is not quite a year old. But it has reached a watershed with the national security raids on Apple Daily’s office and the arrests of its executives. The most frequently cited cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success is “the rule of law”.
Another value often coupled with it is “a free flow of information”. So fundamental is this to the city’s way of life that it is safeguarded in the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, with guarantees of freedom of speech, of the press and of publication.
Source: SCMP #Jun19
https://t.co/iIbjJs7KSp
#RedLine #Beijing #NationalSecurityLaw #Press #Freedom #HongKong
#WhiteTerror
Speech Therapist Unionists Respond to Arrest over Sedition: "Literary Inquisition could be Endless"
On July 22, 2022 in Hong Kobg, the National Security police arrested 5 speech therapists for allegedly "publishing seditious material".
The three children's books in question are published by the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists (#GUST). The two men and the three women arrested are members.
Speaking to In-Media, a union member said that the arrest signified that even metaphors would violate the proverbial "red line".
"The literary inquisition could be endless. Are they going to ban 1984 and Animal Farm?" The member believes that the regime now considers the union to be a thorn in their side.
"Last time they talked about adding a national security director to the labor department. This time, they went straight to making arrests. Any organization that could rally public opinion will become a target."
Another member of the union believes that the goal of the police is to persuade the public to set red lines for themselves. "Just like what their deputy commissioner (#KwokYamShu) said: don't test where the red line is." The union member goes on to say that the national security budget will only grow bigger and bigger; even if every Hongkonger "lies flat" and lives a quiet life, there will still be new risks for violating the national security law.
"Our suffering won't stop even if we give up. Just look at Xinjiang and Tibet; all [oppression] will only continue, perhaps even at a faster pace."
#FreedomOfSpeech #PoliceState #RedLine #NationalSecurityLaw #ThoughtPolice
Source: InMedia HK #Jul22
https://bit.ly/3Bvj54f
Speech Therapist Unionists Respond to Arrest over Sedition: "Literary Inquisition could be Endless"
On July 22, 2022 in Hong Kobg, the National Security police arrested 5 speech therapists for allegedly "publishing seditious material".
The three children's books in question are published by the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists (#GUST). The two men and the three women arrested are members.
Speaking to In-Media, a union member said that the arrest signified that even metaphors would violate the proverbial "red line".
"The literary inquisition could be endless. Are they going to ban 1984 and Animal Farm?" The member believes that the regime now considers the union to be a thorn in their side.
"Last time they talked about adding a national security director to the labor department. This time, they went straight to making arrests. Any organization that could rally public opinion will become a target."
Another member of the union believes that the goal of the police is to persuade the public to set red lines for themselves. "Just like what their deputy commissioner (#KwokYamShu) said: don't test where the red line is." The union member goes on to say that the national security budget will only grow bigger and bigger; even if every Hongkonger "lies flat" and lives a quiet life, there will still be new risks for violating the national security law.
"Our suffering won't stop even if we give up. Just look at Xinjiang and Tibet; all [oppression] will only continue, perhaps even at a faster pace."
#FreedomOfSpeech #PoliceState #RedLine #NationalSecurityLaw #ThoughtPolice
Source: InMedia HK #Jul22
https://bit.ly/3Bvj54f
#Censorship #PoliceState
HK National Security Police cracks down even Speech Therapists over children’s books
On July 22, 2021, the Hong Kong Police’s National Security Department arrested 5 committee members of the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists (#GUST) on "seditious publications", accusing them of "violating the Criminal Offences Ordinance".
Li Kwai-wah, a senior superintendent in the Police’s National Security Department, said in a news briefing that the book and others published by the Union are "instilling hatred among children".
He claimed that the book titled “The Guardians of Sheep Village” is taking the background of Anti-extradition Law Amendment Bill (Anti-ELAB) Movement in Hong Kong.
Li said the story of the wolves invading the village and devouring the sheeps is referring to the conflicts between mainland Chinese (the wolves) and HongKonger (the sheeps). He explained the Force's interpretation based on the book's depiction of wolves entering the village in sheep’s clothing as an allegory of local people’s livelihood being messed up.
Li also condemned that the book for depicting the sheeps retaliating the wolves’ attack with their horns.
According to Li. it is provoking violence and criminal behavior, “sheep, although mild and timid, is portrayed as ferocious and capable of inflicting violence.”
Some reporters pointed out that another book “The Cleaner of Sheep Village”, which describes the COVID-19 pandemic, is not from the same series.
Li, however, insisted that all the Union’s storybooks are connected and "part of a series”.
“Once you have read the first book and the second book, you’ll come to know who the sheeps and the wolves are alleging to. Readers will naturally follow the same logic when they read the third book.”
Li taunted the reporters in the briefing, “Is it necessary to portray wolves in such a vulgar manner that they are filthy and spit everywhere? Are these facts?”
#FreedomOfSpeech #SheepVillage #RedLine #NationalSecurityLaw #ThoughtPolice #Children #sedition
Source: InMedia; #Jul22
https://bit.ly/36QsAgj
HK National Security Police cracks down even Speech Therapists over children’s books
On July 22, 2021, the Hong Kong Police’s National Security Department arrested 5 committee members of the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists (#GUST) on "seditious publications", accusing them of "violating the Criminal Offences Ordinance".
Li Kwai-wah, a senior superintendent in the Police’s National Security Department, said in a news briefing that the book and others published by the Union are "instilling hatred among children".
He claimed that the book titled “The Guardians of Sheep Village” is taking the background of Anti-extradition Law Amendment Bill (Anti-ELAB) Movement in Hong Kong.
Li said the story of the wolves invading the village and devouring the sheeps is referring to the conflicts between mainland Chinese (the wolves) and HongKonger (the sheeps). He explained the Force's interpretation based on the book's depiction of wolves entering the village in sheep’s clothing as an allegory of local people’s livelihood being messed up.
Li also condemned that the book for depicting the sheeps retaliating the wolves’ attack with their horns.
According to Li. it is provoking violence and criminal behavior, “sheep, although mild and timid, is portrayed as ferocious and capable of inflicting violence.”
Some reporters pointed out that another book “The Cleaner of Sheep Village”, which describes the COVID-19 pandemic, is not from the same series.
Li, however, insisted that all the Union’s storybooks are connected and "part of a series”.
“Once you have read the first book and the second book, you’ll come to know who the sheeps and the wolves are alleging to. Readers will naturally follow the same logic when they read the third book.”
Li taunted the reporters in the briefing, “Is it necessary to portray wolves in such a vulgar manner that they are filthy and spit everywhere? Are these facts?”
#FreedomOfSpeech #SheepVillage #RedLine #NationalSecurityLaw #ThoughtPolice #Children #sedition
Source: InMedia; #Jul22
https://bit.ly/36QsAgj
獨立媒體
李桂華「導讀」羊村繪本稱製造仇恨:狼係內地人,羊係本地人 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
【獨媒報導】警務處國安處
When a redline morphs into a massive sea of redlines
Carrie LAM (Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR) said the legal system in Hong Kong is as stable as a cornerstone. She’s right. Everything is under control: national security judges will be designated to try dissidents; the mouthpiece for law will readily weaponise legal oddities; Secretary for Justice will press to change the sentencing principles resulting in heavier sentences; the cast over joint enterprise in riots is ever expanding without checks; interpretation of the Basic Law by the National People’s Congress overruling any Court of Final Appeal flouting decisions is always a last resort. Judges succumb quicker than expected. Now that the government starts tampering with the qualification criteria of Senior Counsels, the legal system is indeed stable as a mountain.
Source: Stand News #Jun13
#AuKaLun #RedLine
Author: AU Ka-Lun
https://bit.ly/3xX38l3
https://telegra.ph/When-a-redline-morphs-into-a-massive-sea-of-redlines-07-24
Carrie LAM (Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR) said the legal system in Hong Kong is as stable as a cornerstone. She’s right. Everything is under control: national security judges will be designated to try dissidents; the mouthpiece for law will readily weaponise legal oddities; Secretary for Justice will press to change the sentencing principles resulting in heavier sentences; the cast over joint enterprise in riots is ever expanding without checks; interpretation of the Basic Law by the National People’s Congress overruling any Court of Final Appeal flouting decisions is always a last resort. Judges succumb quicker than expected. Now that the government starts tampering with the qualification criteria of Senior Counsels, the legal system is indeed stable as a mountain.
Source: Stand News #Jun13
#AuKaLun #RedLine
Author: AU Ka-Lun
https://bit.ly/3xX38l3
https://telegra.ph/When-a-redline-morphs-into-a-massive-sea-of-redlines-07-24
#Censorship #RedLine
Hong Kong Film Censorship Authorities reject two student movies citing national security violations
Source: Stand News, #Nov21
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Hong Kong Film Censorship Authorities reject two student movies citing national security violations
Source: Stand News, #Nov21
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#Censorship #RedLine
Hong Kong Film Censorship Authorities reject two student movies citing national security violations
Two movie screenings in the 4th Ground Up Student Film Festival have been cancelled after the films failed to obtain a Certificate of Approval from Hong Kong’s Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration (#OFNAA).
The news came shortly after the amended Film Censorship Ordinance came into effect on 5 November 2021. The amended ordinance sets out the need to put an end to acts and activities that may endanger national security and it also allows the Chief Secretary of Administration to withdraw already-issued screening permits.
On November 19, 2021, Hong Kong Film Censorship Authority first turned down approval for #TheCage, a short film directed by Hong Kong Baptist University (#HKBU) graduate Tsoi Wing-chau. The film depicts totalitarian rule, capitalism, freedom and resistance.
Two days later, another film Piglet Piglet that sets around Taiwan's Presidential election also failed to obtain an approval certificate. The screening of #PigletPiglet was cancelled just over five hours before it was set to be held.
Director of the film, Lin Tsung-yen, wrote on his Facebook page, saying that “local authorities expressed disapproval. They asked me to cut all scenes and information linked to Taiwanese Presidential election and Tsai Ing-wen.”
#GroundUp #FilmFestival #FilmCensorshipAmendment #NationalSecurityLaw #TsaiIngWen #Cinema
Source: Stand News, #Nov21
https://thestandnews.page.link/CgCJg1s5p4D1XvFF8
Hong Kong Film Censorship Authorities reject two student movies citing national security violations
Two movie screenings in the 4th Ground Up Student Film Festival have been cancelled after the films failed to obtain a Certificate of Approval from Hong Kong’s Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration (#OFNAA).
The news came shortly after the amended Film Censorship Ordinance came into effect on 5 November 2021. The amended ordinance sets out the need to put an end to acts and activities that may endanger national security and it also allows the Chief Secretary of Administration to withdraw already-issued screening permits.
On November 19, 2021, Hong Kong Film Censorship Authority first turned down approval for #TheCage, a short film directed by Hong Kong Baptist University (#HKBU) graduate Tsoi Wing-chau. The film depicts totalitarian rule, capitalism, freedom and resistance.
Two days later, another film Piglet Piglet that sets around Taiwan's Presidential election also failed to obtain an approval certificate. The screening of #PigletPiglet was cancelled just over five hours before it was set to be held.
Director of the film, Lin Tsung-yen, wrote on his Facebook page, saying that “local authorities expressed disapproval. They asked me to cut all scenes and information linked to Taiwanese Presidential election and Tsai Ing-wen.”
#GroundUp #FilmFestival #FilmCensorshipAmendment #NationalSecurityLaw #TsaiIngWen #Cinema
Source: Stand News, #Nov21
https://thestandnews.page.link/CgCJg1s5p4D1XvFF8
#Censorship #RulebyLaw
Hong Kong’s top court applies stringent #NationalSecurityLaw bail requirement to general Crimes Ordinance
Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal has rejected an application to challenge a lower court’s bail refusal to a speech therapist, who was accused of publishing "seditious" children’s books about sheep and wolves.
Speech therapists Lai Man-ling, Melody Yeung Yat-yee, Sidney Ng Hau-yi, Samuel Chan Yuen-sum and Marco Fong Tsz-ho were arrested by Hong Kong national security police in July, 2021. They are accused of conspiring with Wong Hoi-ching, another member of the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists, in printing, publishing, and distributing three children’s books, Guardians of the Sheep Village, 12 Warriors of the Sheep Village, and Dustman of the Sheep Village.
The were accused of intending to “bring into hatred of contempt or to excite disaffection” against the Hong Kong government and “the administration of justice in Hong Kong.”
They were charged with two counts of conspiring to publish, distribute, display or reproduce seditious publications, a breach of a colonial-era law under the Crimes Ordinance, and were denied bail.
Ng, one of the five defendants, took the case up to the Court of Final Appeal seeking leave to challenge the lower courts’ decisions.
Defence counsel Hectar Pun argued that the five defendants are facing charges under Section 10 of the Crimes Ordinance and not the National Security Law, and therefore the stricter threshold for granting bail should not apply.
Prosecutors argued that the Court of Final Appeal had ruled that sedition is considered an act that endangers national security. Violations of the Crimes Ordinance with relevance to the national security law may also endanger national security.
#FreedomOfSpeech #SheepVillage #RedLine #NationalSecurityLaw #ThoughtPolice #Children #sedition
Source: inmediahk; #Dec14
https://bit.ly/325iVU0
====
Related News
HK National Security Police cracks down even Speech Therapists over children’s books
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30705
Hong Kong’s top court applies stringent #NationalSecurityLaw bail requirement to general Crimes Ordinance
Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal has rejected an application to challenge a lower court’s bail refusal to a speech therapist, who was accused of publishing "seditious" children’s books about sheep and wolves.
Speech therapists Lai Man-ling, Melody Yeung Yat-yee, Sidney Ng Hau-yi, Samuel Chan Yuen-sum and Marco Fong Tsz-ho were arrested by Hong Kong national security police in July, 2021. They are accused of conspiring with Wong Hoi-ching, another member of the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists, in printing, publishing, and distributing three children’s books, Guardians of the Sheep Village, 12 Warriors of the Sheep Village, and Dustman of the Sheep Village.
The were accused of intending to “bring into hatred of contempt or to excite disaffection” against the Hong Kong government and “the administration of justice in Hong Kong.”
They were charged with two counts of conspiring to publish, distribute, display or reproduce seditious publications, a breach of a colonial-era law under the Crimes Ordinance, and were denied bail.
Ng, one of the five defendants, took the case up to the Court of Final Appeal seeking leave to challenge the lower courts’ decisions.
Defence counsel Hectar Pun argued that the five defendants are facing charges under Section 10 of the Crimes Ordinance and not the National Security Law, and therefore the stricter threshold for granting bail should not apply.
Prosecutors argued that the Court of Final Appeal had ruled that sedition is considered an act that endangers national security. Violations of the Crimes Ordinance with relevance to the national security law may also endanger national security.
#FreedomOfSpeech #SheepVillage #RedLine #NationalSecurityLaw #ThoughtPolice #Children #sedition
Source: inmediahk; #Dec14
https://bit.ly/325iVU0
====
Related News
HK National Security Police cracks down even Speech Therapists over children’s books
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30705
#Censorship #Oppression
Hong Kong Government's Double Standard: Patriotism Gets Free Pass in Political Union Activities; Complaints About June 4 Commemorations Will Spring Action
Source: InMediaHK, CRHK #Dec28
#NanjingMassacre #TiananmenMassacre #RedLine
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Hong Kong Government's Double Standard: Patriotism Gets Free Pass in Political Union Activities; Complaints About June 4 Commemorations Will Spring Action
Source: InMediaHK, CRHK #Dec28
#NanjingMassacre #TiananmenMassacre #RedLine
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#Censorship #Oppression
Hong Kong Government's Double Standard: Patriotism Gets Free Pass in Political Union Activities; Complaints About June 4 Commemorations Will Spring Action
Commissioner for Labour Chris Sun Yuk Han was interviewed interview by Commercial Radio on December 28, 2021. When asked about the boundaries that constitutes as “union activities”, Sun claimed that, with activities such as commemorating the #NanjingMassacre, such activities involving patriotism and race are "common sense", and would "not constitute as a violation of the ordinance."
Under the Trade Unions Ordinance, the funds of a registered trade union shall not, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere be applied either directly or indirectly for any political purpose; or be paid or transferred to any person or body of persons in furtherance of any political purpose.
Citing the ordinance, The Labour Department had removed the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapist (#GUST) from their registry of unions in October 2021 due to a suspected violation in one of its union activities.
“If it involves patriotism and the importance of the [Chinese] race," Sun said during the interview, "it would be common sense to pay attention to the issue. Unions should do what unions do, but if it is something that should be done under common sense, then do it. You don’t need to worry.”
On the contrary, when asked about commemorating the June 4th #TiananmenMassacre, Sun replied, “if someone submitted a complaint, or if the activities are well beyond what unions should do, we have the responsibility to do something about it.”
Source: InMediaHK, CRHK #Dec28
https://bit.ly/3HdPpdV
#NanjingMassacre #TiananmenMassacre #RedLine
Hong Kong Government's Double Standard: Patriotism Gets Free Pass in Political Union Activities; Complaints About June 4 Commemorations Will Spring Action
Commissioner for Labour Chris Sun Yuk Han was interviewed interview by Commercial Radio on December 28, 2021. When asked about the boundaries that constitutes as “union activities”, Sun claimed that, with activities such as commemorating the #NanjingMassacre, such activities involving patriotism and race are "common sense", and would "not constitute as a violation of the ordinance."
Under the Trade Unions Ordinance, the funds of a registered trade union shall not, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere be applied either directly or indirectly for any political purpose; or be paid or transferred to any person or body of persons in furtherance of any political purpose.
Citing the ordinance, The Labour Department had removed the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapist (#GUST) from their registry of unions in October 2021 due to a suspected violation in one of its union activities.
“If it involves patriotism and the importance of the [Chinese] race," Sun said during the interview, "it would be common sense to pay attention to the issue. Unions should do what unions do, but if it is something that should be done under common sense, then do it. You don’t need to worry.”
On the contrary, when asked about commemorating the June 4th #TiananmenMassacre, Sun replied, “if someone submitted a complaint, or if the activities are well beyond what unions should do, we have the responsibility to do something about it.”
Source: InMediaHK, CRHK #Dec28
https://bit.ly/3HdPpdV
#NanjingMassacre #TiananmenMassacre #RedLine
獨立媒體
勞工處處長:工會悼南京大屠殺可以、悼六四收投訴便會行動 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
(獨媒報導)過去一年,勞工處以工會的活動違反《職工會條例》為由,取消香港言語治療師總工會的工會註冊。勞工處處長孫玉菡接受商台訪問,談及工會活動的界線,他表示悼念南京大屠殺牽涉愛國情懷及民族,「按常理你都會關注」,不需要擔心違反《條例》。惟對於悼念六四會否違反條例,他則表示若收到市民投訴,或工會做出「超越職工會做嘅嘢」,勞工處便會作出行動。
#PressFreedom
More News Outlets Leave Hong Kong and Suspend Service, Citing #RedLine of #NationalSecurityLaw
On February 10, 2022, Initium Media, an online news outlet, announced that they are evacuating their office from Hong Kong. They will no longer offer customer service through any Hong Kong landline telephone number. Matter related to subscription, advertisement and internship will be dealth with through email.
Meanwhile, Radio Free Asia (#RFA) also suspended some Cantonese programmes and commentaries, due to concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong and the the national security law.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press; Epoch Times #Feb11
More News Outlets Leave Hong Kong and Suspend Service, Citing #RedLine of #NationalSecurityLaw
On February 10, 2022, Initium Media, an online news outlet, announced that they are evacuating their office from Hong Kong. They will no longer offer customer service through any Hong Kong landline telephone number. Matter related to subscription, advertisement and internship will be dealth with through email.
Meanwhile, Radio Free Asia (#RFA) also suspended some Cantonese programmes and commentaries, due to concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong and the the national security law.
Source: Hong Kong Free Press; Epoch Times #Feb11
#PressFreedom #Censorship
Why the days of Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club may be numbered
//I fear the days of the FCC itself are numbered. ...//
// The end could happen suddenly, given the news on Monday [Ed. April 25] that the club had cancelled its annual Human Rights Press Awards because of the “red lines” China has drawn on what is permissible to be published and the club’s fear the awards could inadvertently cross into dangerous territory for the club, its members, and participants in the awards. //
Read full article
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/05/01/why-the-days-of-hong-kongs-foreign-correspondents-club-may-be-numbered/
#FCC #RedLine #HumanRights #WhiteTerror
Why the days of Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club may be numbered
//I fear the days of the FCC itself are numbered. ...//
// The end could happen suddenly, given the news on Monday [Ed. April 25] that the club had cancelled its annual Human Rights Press Awards because of the “red lines” China has drawn on what is permissible to be published and the club’s fear the awards could inadvertently cross into dangerous territory for the club, its members, and participants in the awards. //
Read full article
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/05/01/why-the-days-of-hong-kongs-foreign-correspondents-club-may-be-numbered/
#FCC #RedLine #HumanRights #WhiteTerror