#TikTok #US #Australia #NationalSecurity
US and Australia Considering a Ban on TikTok; US Lawmakers Raise Concerns over the App’s Impact on US National Security
Following India’s ban on TikTok, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed that the US is also "looking at" a potential ban on TikTok. Some Australian officials have also called for the ban over suspicions that the platform is collecting excessive user data, and have requested TikTok's representatives to face the committee to respond to the concerns.
According to Reuters, Pompeo said his administration is "certainly looking at" banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok. TikTok has emphasised independence from its parent company, China-based ByteDance, yet US lawmakers still worry that Chinese legislation may force corporations to support and cooperate with the government's intelligence collection, giving rise to concerns that TikTok's handling of user information may threaten US national security.
Meanwhile, Australian media has reported that some Australian legislators are also advocating a ban on TikTok, which has approximately 1.4 million users in Australia. The legislators have requested TikTok representatives to face the Select Committee on Foreign Interference Through Social Media. The chair of the committee, Senator Jenny McAllister has noted, "There have been credible reports that TikTok takes more data than its users would expect, and moderates content for reasons that its users may not be comfortable with." She has further stated, "I think Australians would expect that TikTok and other platforms will appear before the Senate committee to answer questions.” However, TikTok Australia's general manager Lee Hunter has insisted that Australia's user data is stored in Singapore, and that it "does not share information of [its] users in Australia with any foreign government, including the Chinese government".
Source: Stand News #Jul7
US and Australia Considering a Ban on TikTok; US Lawmakers Raise Concerns over the App’s Impact on US National Security
Following India’s ban on TikTok, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed that the US is also "looking at" a potential ban on TikTok. Some Australian officials have also called for the ban over suspicions that the platform is collecting excessive user data, and have requested TikTok's representatives to face the committee to respond to the concerns.
According to Reuters, Pompeo said his administration is "certainly looking at" banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok. TikTok has emphasised independence from its parent company, China-based ByteDance, yet US lawmakers still worry that Chinese legislation may force corporations to support and cooperate with the government's intelligence collection, giving rise to concerns that TikTok's handling of user information may threaten US national security.
Meanwhile, Australian media has reported that some Australian legislators are also advocating a ban on TikTok, which has approximately 1.4 million users in Australia. The legislators have requested TikTok representatives to face the Select Committee on Foreign Interference Through Social Media. The chair of the committee, Senator Jenny McAllister has noted, "There have been credible reports that TikTok takes more data than its users would expect, and moderates content for reasons that its users may not be comfortable with." She has further stated, "I think Australians would expect that TikTok and other platforms will appear before the Senate committee to answer questions.” However, TikTok Australia's general manager Lee Hunter has insisted that Australia's user data is stored in Singapore, and that it "does not share information of [its] users in Australia with any foreign government, including the Chinese government".
Source: Stand News #Jul7
#HumanitarianCrisis #OathofOffice
230 Directly Elected #DistrictCouncillors to be Disqualified by HK Gov't
According to Cable News and Now News in Hong Kong on July 7, 2021, about 230 directly elected district councillors would face "#disqualification" by authorities, for not having taken an oath of #allegiance to uphold the #BasicLaw.
The government will reportedly demand the district councillors to return their entire salary received during the term they have served. The estimated amount per person is HKD1million.
Since one day ago, a resignation wave took place across different districts. These include Chan Shu-ying (Tuen Mun), Cheung Kwan-kiu (Kwai Ching), Lee Wing-shing (Shatin), Lo Chun-yu (Tuen Mun), Lee Chun-hei (Shum Shui Po), Yau Man-chun (Shatin) and Chan Siu-yeung (Shatin).
Source: Stand News #Jul7
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E5%8D%80%E8%AD%B0%E5%93%A1%E5%AE%A3%E8%AA%93%E5%85%A8%E6%B8%AF%E5%A4%9A%E5%8D%80%E5%8D%80%E8%AD%B0%E5%93%A1%E7%B4%9B%E5%AE%A3%E5%B8%83%E8%BE%AD%E8%81%B7
230 Directly Elected #DistrictCouncillors to be Disqualified by HK Gov't
According to Cable News and Now News in Hong Kong on July 7, 2021, about 230 directly elected district councillors would face "#disqualification" by authorities, for not having taken an oath of #allegiance to uphold the #BasicLaw.
The government will reportedly demand the district councillors to return their entire salary received during the term they have served. The estimated amount per person is HKD1million.
Since one day ago, a resignation wave took place across different districts. These include Chan Shu-ying (Tuen Mun), Cheung Kwan-kiu (Kwai Ching), Lee Wing-shing (Shatin), Lo Chun-yu (Tuen Mun), Lee Chun-hei (Shum Shui Po), Yau Man-chun (Shatin) and Chan Siu-yeung (Shatin).
Source: Stand News #Jul7
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E5%8D%80%E8%AD%B0%E5%93%A1%E5%AE%A3%E8%AA%93%E5%85%A8%E6%B8%AF%E5%A4%9A%E5%8D%80%E5%8D%80%E8%AD%B0%E5%93%A1%E7%B4%9B%E5%AE%A3%E5%B8%83%E8%BE%AD%E8%81%B7
#AsiasFinest #PoliceState
Hong Kong Woman searched by the police for holding chives
On the night of July 1, 2021, #LeungKinFai stabbed himself after injuring a police officer outside the SOGO Department Store in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
Many citizens gathered to mourn Leung's passing, yet the government repeatedly warned that the gathering could incite hatred, and people should stop mourning.
On July 7, a group of police was deployed in the area. A woman holding chives was stopped and searched by the police at around 7pm.
The woman was emotional during the search and prayed with flowers which was kept in her bags. She expressed her fear to the police but was warned to stop her behaviour. The woman was let go after being warned and she left with the flower tied on her head.
She did not respond to the reporter's questions and only stated she wanted to walk to SOGO, and left immediately afterwards.
Source: Stand News #Jul7
#WhiteTerror #Mourning #Death #NeverForget
Hong Kong Woman searched by the police for holding chives
On the night of July 1, 2021, #LeungKinFai stabbed himself after injuring a police officer outside the SOGO Department Store in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
Many citizens gathered to mourn Leung's passing, yet the government repeatedly warned that the gathering could incite hatred, and people should stop mourning.
On July 7, a group of police was deployed in the area. A woman holding chives was stopped and searched by the police at around 7pm.
The woman was emotional during the search and prayed with flowers which was kept in her bags. She expressed her fear to the police but was warned to stop her behaviour. The woman was let go after being warned and she left with the flower tied on her head.
She did not respond to the reporter's questions and only stated she wanted to walk to SOGO, and left immediately afterwards.
Source: Stand News #Jul7
#WhiteTerror #Mourning #Death #NeverForget
#PoliceState #WhiteTerror
HK Police Intercept #Elderly in Wheelchair
On July 1, 2021, a 50-year-old Hong Kong man, #LeungKinFai, passed away after kniving a policeman and stabbing himself in Causeway Bay. One week after, police were still stationed in the area, in order to stop citizens from paying tribute to Leung.
On July 7, 2021, an elderly lady in wheelchair was selling some small packets of white champaca outside the Sogo Department Store. She told InMedia that she has "read the news" and felt sorry for the incident. She said Leung died innocently and his sacrifice was in vain.
The elderly lady said she is not afraid of the police, "The police should be fear of the citizens, but not the other way round."
She said, "Hong Kong is getting worse and worse". She hoped that the city can "become as free as before" and encouraged Hongkongers to hang on and persevere, in order to welcome hope.
Source: InMedia #Jul7
https://bit.ly/3qPubvK
#AsiasFinest
HK Police Intercept #Elderly in Wheelchair
On July 1, 2021, a 50-year-old Hong Kong man, #LeungKinFai, passed away after kniving a policeman and stabbing himself in Causeway Bay. One week after, police were still stationed in the area, in order to stop citizens from paying tribute to Leung.
On July 7, 2021, an elderly lady in wheelchair was selling some small packets of white champaca outside the Sogo Department Store. She told InMedia that she has "read the news" and felt sorry for the incident. She said Leung died innocently and his sacrifice was in vain.
The elderly lady said she is not afraid of the police, "The police should be fear of the citizens, but not the other way round."
She said, "Hong Kong is getting worse and worse". She hoped that the city can "become as free as before" and encouraged Hongkongers to hang on and persevere, in order to welcome hope.
Source: InMedia #Jul7
https://bit.ly/3qPubvK
#AsiasFinest
#Court
#Opinion: Tong Ying-Kit Case Puts "Liberate Hong Kong" Slogan on Trial, with a Predetermined Verdict
Source: Simon Shen facebook #Jul7
Read more
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30498
#Opinion: Tong Ying-Kit Case Puts "Liberate Hong Kong" Slogan on Trial, with a Predetermined Verdict
Source: Simon Shen facebook #Jul7
Read more
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30498
#Court
#Opinion: Tong Ying-Kit Case Puts "Liberate Hong Kong" Slogan on Trial, with a Predetermined Verdict
[Editor's note:
24-year-old Tong Ying-kit is the first person to be charged under the National Security Law in Hong Kong, for displaying a flag with the words "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times" on his motorbike and driving towards police officers. The trial is now underway.
The following is an opinion article published by #SimonShen, a public intellectual specialized in international relations, on July 7, 2021.]
"On the surface, this is a case against the man #TongYingKit.
To the Hong Kong authorities, however, this case will effectively set the legal characterization for the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, the Revolution of Our Times".
This is exactly why the Department of Justice insisted not to allow a trial by jury. Instead, they turned it into a trial by "designated National Security judges", giving them the power to determine the definition of the slogan.
With such an arrangement, the outcome is a foregone conclusion to nearly every observer. No matter what kind of outrageous scenes would happen during the proceedings, when all is said and done, the slogan would become a legally banned phrase, having been deemed unlawful by the 'British-designed judiciary system'.
After all, what would be the alternative? If the courts determined that "Liberate Hong Kong, the Revolution of Our Times" is not equivalent to "Hong Kong independence", then wouldn't it defeat the purpose of establishing the HKSAR National Security Law?
Thus, the authorities had first determined the desired verdict, then began rummaging through the records to dig up evidence that match their narrative.
This process is the exact opposite of the logical reasoning that the world is accustomed to; unfortunately, this is the norm in China. And this is has now become our times."
Source: Simon Shen facebook #Jul7
Read original article in full: patreon.com/posts/53365694
#NationalSecurityLaw #KangarooCourt #CrimeOfSpeech
====
See also:
Prosecutors Deny Hongkongers' Right to Jury Trial; Judge Has Difficulties in Comprehending Law Written in English
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29698
#Opinion: National Security Law Turns Hong Kong Into a Launchpad for China's Legal Terrorism
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/22449
#Opinion: Tong Ying-Kit Case Puts "Liberate Hong Kong" Slogan on Trial, with a Predetermined Verdict
[Editor's note:
24-year-old Tong Ying-kit is the first person to be charged under the National Security Law in Hong Kong, for displaying a flag with the words "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times" on his motorbike and driving towards police officers. The trial is now underway.
The following is an opinion article published by #SimonShen, a public intellectual specialized in international relations, on July 7, 2021.]
"On the surface, this is a case against the man #TongYingKit.
To the Hong Kong authorities, however, this case will effectively set the legal characterization for the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, the Revolution of Our Times".
This is exactly why the Department of Justice insisted not to allow a trial by jury. Instead, they turned it into a trial by "designated National Security judges", giving them the power to determine the definition of the slogan.
With such an arrangement, the outcome is a foregone conclusion to nearly every observer. No matter what kind of outrageous scenes would happen during the proceedings, when all is said and done, the slogan would become a legally banned phrase, having been deemed unlawful by the 'British-designed judiciary system'.
After all, what would be the alternative? If the courts determined that "Liberate Hong Kong, the Revolution of Our Times" is not equivalent to "Hong Kong independence", then wouldn't it defeat the purpose of establishing the HKSAR National Security Law?
Thus, the authorities had first determined the desired verdict, then began rummaging through the records to dig up evidence that match their narrative.
This process is the exact opposite of the logical reasoning that the world is accustomed to; unfortunately, this is the norm in China. And this is has now become our times."
Source: Simon Shen facebook #Jul7
Read original article in full: patreon.com/posts/53365694
#NationalSecurityLaw #KangarooCourt #CrimeOfSpeech
====
See also:
Prosecutors Deny Hongkongers' Right to Jury Trial; Judge Has Difficulties in Comprehending Law Written in English
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29698
#Opinion: National Security Law Turns Hong Kong Into a Launchpad for China's Legal Terrorism
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/22449
Telegram
📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Court #Jury
Prosecutors Deny Hongkongers' Right to Jury Trial; Judge Has Difficulties in Comprehending Law Written in English
24-year-old #TongYingKit is the first person in Hong Kong charged with national security violation. On July 1, 2020, he displayed…
Prosecutors Deny Hongkongers' Right to Jury Trial; Judge Has Difficulties in Comprehending Law Written in English
24-year-old #TongYingKit is the first person in Hong Kong charged with national security violation. On July 1, 2020, he displayed…
#PoliceState
#Taiwan #Scholar refutes HK government's labelling of police knifing incident as “local terrorism”
Source: HKCnews; #Jul7
Read more
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#Taiwan #Scholar refutes HK government's labelling of police knifing incident as “local terrorism”
Source: HKCnews; #Jul7
Read more
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#PoliceState
#Taiwan #Scholar refutes HK government's labelling of police knifing incident as “local terrorism”
In less than 4 hours after the police knifing incident took place in Causeway Bay on 1 July, 2021, the Hong Kong government's Secretary for Security #ChrisTang, hastily concluded the attack as a “lone-wolf terrorist act”.
Tang further condemned those attempted to pay tribute to the deceased man, calling such action as “glorifying terrorism and encouraging violence."
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary #JohnLee warned citizens against what he called "local terrorism" in his first blog post as the city’s second ranking official.
Taiwan scholar, #ShihChienGu who specializes in global counter-terrorism, however, considered such allegations unfounded.
He did not agree that public mourning advocates terrorism. Instead, he asked the Hong Kong Government to investigate reasons for the incident to render public sympathy.
Shih further explained that there are two basic concepts to Terrorism, one is whether it causes panic in society and the other is whether it has a political purpose.
The man who knifed the police officer didn’t cause social alarm. If the action was out of the man's discontentment, it is neither politically driven.
Shih opined that the assault against pro-democracy protesters in Yuen Long on 21 July 2019 was a terrorist attack as it shocked and provoked panic in local community. If the collusion between assailants and police is evident, the attack could be deemed a “state terrorism”. That is to say, the regime is using illegal means to intimidate its own people.
Shih Chien-yu is a guest professor in the Taiwan Tsinghua University.
Source: HKCnews; #Jul7
https://bit.ly/3wEWRZT
#StateTerrorism #Propaganda #WhiteTerror #Censorship
#Taiwan #Scholar refutes HK government's labelling of police knifing incident as “local terrorism”
In less than 4 hours after the police knifing incident took place in Causeway Bay on 1 July, 2021, the Hong Kong government's Secretary for Security #ChrisTang, hastily concluded the attack as a “lone-wolf terrorist act”.
Tang further condemned those attempted to pay tribute to the deceased man, calling such action as “glorifying terrorism and encouraging violence."
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary #JohnLee warned citizens against what he called "local terrorism" in his first blog post as the city’s second ranking official.
Taiwan scholar, #ShihChienGu who specializes in global counter-terrorism, however, considered such allegations unfounded.
He did not agree that public mourning advocates terrorism. Instead, he asked the Hong Kong Government to investigate reasons for the incident to render public sympathy.
Shih further explained that there are two basic concepts to Terrorism, one is whether it causes panic in society and the other is whether it has a political purpose.
The man who knifed the police officer didn’t cause social alarm. If the action was out of the man's discontentment, it is neither politically driven.
Shih opined that the assault against pro-democracy protesters in Yuen Long on 21 July 2019 was a terrorist attack as it shocked and provoked panic in local community. If the collusion between assailants and police is evident, the attack could be deemed a “state terrorism”. That is to say, the regime is using illegal means to intimidate its own people.
Shih Chien-yu is a guest professor in the Taiwan Tsinghua University.
Source: HKCnews; #Jul7
https://bit.ly/3wEWRZT
#StateTerrorism #Propaganda #WhiteTerror #Censorship
#WhiteTerror #Censorship
Would Karaoke become a crime?: Hong Kong School Politicizes Cantopop Lyrics and Censors Singing Contest
Source: Stand News #Jul7
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Would Karaoke become a crime?: Hong Kong School Politicizes Cantopop Lyrics and Censors Singing Contest
Source: Stand News #Jul7
Read more
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#WhiteTerror #Censorship
Would Karaoke become a crime?: Hong Kong School Politicizes Cantopop Lyrics and Censors Singing Contest
In Hong Kong, two students from the ELCHK Yuen Long Lutheran Secondary School decided to perform a Cantonese pop song titled "銀河修理員” (Translated as: Galatic Repairman) at the school's singing contest.
The song was originally performed by the local band #DearJane.
The school, however, rejected the song, calling certain lyrics "political". The students were forced to modify their performance and only allowed to perform a makeover version call 疫情加油（Translated as: Pandemic Add Oil").
In the end, the two students entered the finals and performed on stage. They sang the song with the original lyrics and chanted "HongKongers Add Oil" after the performance.
The two were disqualified for performing the song without the school's approval and each were given a demerit. They were also banned from performing for the school in the future which could affect their chances of going to college.
Stand News made inquiries to the school about the incident, but the vice principal, Tam refused to give a response.
Source: Stand News #Jul7
https://thestandnews.page.link/eVu9qPBVGz6S9cvq6
#Karaoke #School #Cantopop #SingCon
Would Karaoke become a crime?: Hong Kong School Politicizes Cantopop Lyrics and Censors Singing Contest
In Hong Kong, two students from the ELCHK Yuen Long Lutheran Secondary School decided to perform a Cantonese pop song titled "銀河修理員” (Translated as: Galatic Repairman) at the school's singing contest.
The song was originally performed by the local band #DearJane.
The school, however, rejected the song, calling certain lyrics "political". The students were forced to modify their performance and only allowed to perform a makeover version call 疫情加油（Translated as: Pandemic Add Oil").
In the end, the two students entered the finals and performed on stage. They sang the song with the original lyrics and chanted "HongKongers Add Oil" after the performance.
The two were disqualified for performing the song without the school's approval and each were given a demerit. They were also banned from performing for the school in the future which could affect their chances of going to college.
Stand News made inquiries to the school about the incident, but the vice principal, Tam refused to give a response.
Source: Stand News #Jul7
https://thestandnews.page.link/eVu9qPBVGz6S9cvq6
#Karaoke #School #Cantopop #SingCon
#UN rights committee seeks assurances hearing participants from Hong Kong won’t be targeted under security law
//The #UnitedNations #HumanRightsCommittee on Thursday began reviewing Hong Kong’s rights record for the first time since Beijing imposed its #nationalsecuritylaw, amid questions about whether groups making submissions to the meeting could fall foul of the legislation.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs #ErickTsang and several other top officials attended the meeting in Geneva via video link. In his opening speech, which lasted just under 20 minutes, Tsang said the government had done much to protect #humanrights in Hong Kong.
He also cited Chinese leader #XiJinping as saying the One Country, Two Systems policy has been working well, adding it was recognised by 1.4 billion Chinese people and the international community...
The UN Committee members, however, were not convinced the security law offered sufficient protections for people’s rights and freedoms.
“I note, honourable secretary, your comment about the events that precipitated this law, but I must observe that it was done overnight, without consultation, and bypassing the local legislature,” the committee’s vice chair Christopher Arif Bulkan said.
Another vice chair, Shuichi Furuya from Japan, expressed concern at the overarching nature and broad scope of the legislation. He said the committee had received reports about organisations overseas being requested by Hong Kong authorities to remove content that may be in violation of it....
The meeting of the committee of 18 international experts will continue on Friday and next Tuesday, while a closing session will take place on July 22, 2022.//
Read the full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/07/07/un-committee-starts-first-review-of-hong-kong-human-rights-since-security-law/
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Jul7
#NSL #FailedState #UnitedNations
//The #UnitedNations #HumanRightsCommittee on Thursday began reviewing Hong Kong’s rights record for the first time since Beijing imposed its #nationalsecuritylaw, amid questions about whether groups making submissions to the meeting could fall foul of the legislation.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs #ErickTsang and several other top officials attended the meeting in Geneva via video link. In his opening speech, which lasted just under 20 minutes, Tsang said the government had done much to protect #humanrights in Hong Kong.
He also cited Chinese leader #XiJinping as saying the One Country, Two Systems policy has been working well, adding it was recognised by 1.4 billion Chinese people and the international community...
The UN Committee members, however, were not convinced the security law offered sufficient protections for people’s rights and freedoms.
“I note, honourable secretary, your comment about the events that precipitated this law, but I must observe that it was done overnight, without consultation, and bypassing the local legislature,” the committee’s vice chair Christopher Arif Bulkan said.
Another vice chair, Shuichi Furuya from Japan, expressed concern at the overarching nature and broad scope of the legislation. He said the committee had received reports about organisations overseas being requested by Hong Kong authorities to remove content that may be in violation of it....
The meeting of the committee of 18 international experts will continue on Friday and next Tuesday, while a closing session will take place on July 22, 2022.//
Read the full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/07/07/un-committee-starts-first-review-of-hong-kong-human-rights-since-security-law/
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Jul7
#NSL #FailedState #UnitedNations
Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
UN rights committee seeks assurances hearing participants from Hong Kong won’t be targeted under security law
The United Nations Human Rights Committee on Thursday began reviewing Hong Kong’s rights record for the first time since Beijing imposed its national security law, amid questions about whether groups making submissions to the meeting could fall foul of the…
British lawyers defending Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai say they have received threats
Source: Reuters #Jul7
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Source: Reuters #Jul7
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British lawyers defending Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai say they have received threats
//Barristers from a British law firm who are representing jailed Hong Kong tycoon and democracy campaigner #JimmyLai said on July 7, 2022 they had received anonymous e-mails warning them against travelling to the city to defend him.
Lai is among the most prominent people in Hong Kong to be charged under a #National SecurityLaw that Beijing imposed in June 2020 to punish terrorism, collusion with foreign forces, subversion and secession with possible life imprisonment.
The barristers - Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Jonathan Price and Jennifer Robinson from Doughty Street Chambers - told Reuters the messages came from a generic Gmail address.
"A person that refuses to abide by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region could be extradited...from other jurisdictions. Foreign nationals will be charged with the offences of subversion," one of the e-mails said. "You have been warned not to attempt entry or land in Chinese territory."
The barristers declined to say if they would be travelling to Hong Kong for the trial.
"Threatening journalists, campaigners and lawyers within Hong Kong has been happening for some time," the barristers said in an e-mail.
"Now these intimidatory tactics are spreading outside the borders of China and Hong Kong."
Police said in a statement they were concerned about the media reports and "strongly condemn the act of impersonating police officers". They appealed to those concerned to provide further information.
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the barristers would be allowed to enter Hong Kong.
Baroness Helena Kennedy, Director of the International Bar Association's Institute of Fundamental Rights, condemned what she said was an act of intimidation.
"Intimidating the lawyers who act for citizens pursuing freedom and democracy is the tactic of an authoritarian regime," she said.
"Jimmy Lai's right to instruct international lawyers of his choice is fundamental to a fair trial. The Hong Kong authorities seem to have abandoned the values which underpin the rule of law."//
Source: Reuters #Jul7
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/british-lawyers-defending-hong-kong-tycoon-say-they-receive-threats-2022-07-07/
#PoliceState #CCP #Intimidation #FairTrial #Lawyer #Court #AppleDaily #NextMedia
//Barristers from a British law firm who are representing jailed Hong Kong tycoon and democracy campaigner #JimmyLai said on July 7, 2022 they had received anonymous e-mails warning them against travelling to the city to defend him.
Lai is among the most prominent people in Hong Kong to be charged under a #National SecurityLaw that Beijing imposed in June 2020 to punish terrorism, collusion with foreign forces, subversion and secession with possible life imprisonment.
The barristers - Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Jonathan Price and Jennifer Robinson from Doughty Street Chambers - told Reuters the messages came from a generic Gmail address.
"A person that refuses to abide by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region could be extradited...from other jurisdictions. Foreign nationals will be charged with the offences of subversion," one of the e-mails said. "You have been warned not to attempt entry or land in Chinese territory."
The barristers declined to say if they would be travelling to Hong Kong for the trial.
"Threatening journalists, campaigners and lawyers within Hong Kong has been happening for some time," the barristers said in an e-mail.
"Now these intimidatory tactics are spreading outside the borders of China and Hong Kong."
Police said in a statement they were concerned about the media reports and "strongly condemn the act of impersonating police officers". They appealed to those concerned to provide further information.
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the barristers would be allowed to enter Hong Kong.
Baroness Helena Kennedy, Director of the International Bar Association's Institute of Fundamental Rights, condemned what she said was an act of intimidation.
"Intimidating the lawyers who act for citizens pursuing freedom and democracy is the tactic of an authoritarian regime," she said.
"Jimmy Lai's right to instruct international lawyers of his choice is fundamental to a fair trial. The Hong Kong authorities seem to have abandoned the values which underpin the rule of law."//
Source: Reuters #Jul7
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/british-lawyers-defending-hong-kong-tycoon-say-they-receive-threats-2022-07-07/
#PoliceState #CCP #Intimidation #FairTrial #Lawyer #Court #AppleDaily #NextMedia
Reuters
Lawyers defending Hong Kong tycoon say they have received threats
Barristers from a British law firm who are representing jailed Hong Kong tycoon and democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai said on Thursday they had received anonymous e-mails warning them against travelling to the city to defend him.