#Oppression #FailedState
Hong Kong law firm Vidler & Co, which handled protest-related cases announced closure after 19 years
Sources: Ming Pao, Chaser News
#HumanRights #HKLegalSystem #NationalSecurityLaw
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Hong Kong law firm Vidler & Co, which handled protest-related cases announced closure after 19 years
Sources: Ming Pao, Chaser News
#HumanRights #HKLegalSystem #NationalSecurityLaw
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#Oppression #FailedState
Hong Kong law firm Vidler & Co, which handled protest-related cases announced closure after 19 years
A Hong Kong law firm, which specialised in Human Rights and handled multiple cases related to the 2019 protests will soon cease practising.
The Law Society of Hong Kong notified members that Vidler & Co. intended to cease practice on June 3 after 19 years of operations.
The firm took on several controversial incidents, including an alleged police gang rape and the case of Indonesian journalist Veby Mega Indah, who was allegedly shot in the face with a police projectile.
#MichaelVidler, owner of the firm, has also represented Joshua Wong Chi-fung and protester Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, who was beaten by several police officers in a dark corner in Admiralty.
4 days after the company announced its closure, Vidler was seen leaving the city on 25 April. In the airport, he was bombarded by a group of reporters from Ta Kung Pao, a CCP mouthpiece with questions in Chinese.
Reporters urged him to explain whether his departure is related to #PaulHarris who has left in March this year.
Vidler is on the panel of solicitors for the Legal Aid Department, the Duty Lawyer Scheme and is an approved solicitor for a number of consulates in Hong Kong.
He was twice elected in 2011 and 2017 as a representative of the legal functional constituency on the 1,200-member Election Committee, which is tasked with nominating and choosing Hong Kong's chief executive.
Sources: Ming Pao, Chaser News
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%e6%b8%af%e8%81%9e/article/20220421/s00001/1650518079447
The Chaser News; #Apr25
Related article
Barrister #PaulHarris Leaves Hong Kong After Being Approached by National Security Police
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32345
.
Hong Kong law firm Vidler & Co, which handled protest-related cases announced closure after 19 years
A Hong Kong law firm, which specialised in Human Rights and handled multiple cases related to the 2019 protests will soon cease practising.
The Law Society of Hong Kong notified members that Vidler & Co. intended to cease practice on June 3 after 19 years of operations.
The firm took on several controversial incidents, including an alleged police gang rape and the case of Indonesian journalist Veby Mega Indah, who was allegedly shot in the face with a police projectile.
#MichaelVidler, owner of the firm, has also represented Joshua Wong Chi-fung and protester Ken Tsang Kin-chiu, who was beaten by several police officers in a dark corner in Admiralty.
4 days after the company announced its closure, Vidler was seen leaving the city on 25 April. In the airport, he was bombarded by a group of reporters from Ta Kung Pao, a CCP mouthpiece with questions in Chinese.
Reporters urged him to explain whether his departure is related to #PaulHarris who has left in March this year.
Vidler is on the panel of solicitors for the Legal Aid Department, the Duty Lawyer Scheme and is an approved solicitor for a number of consulates in Hong Kong.
He was twice elected in 2011 and 2017 as a representative of the legal functional constituency on the 1,200-member Election Committee, which is tasked with nominating and choosing Hong Kong's chief executive.
Sources: Ming Pao, Chaser News
https://news.mingpao.com/ins/%e6%b8%af%e8%81%9e/article/20220421/s00001/1650518079447
The Chaser News; #Apr25
Related article
Barrister #PaulHarris Leaves Hong Kong After Being Approached by National Security Police
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32345
.
明報新聞網 - 即時新聞 instant news
韋智達律師行擬6月停止執業 曾處理多宗反修例相關案 (13:19) - 20220421 - 港聞
律師會今（21日）向會員發通告，表示收到韋智達律師行（Vidler & Co. Solicitors）發出擬停止執業的通知書（Notice of intention to cease practice），打算於今年6月3日停止執業。
#Exodus #Oppression
Senior member of Hong Kong pollster leaves city for the UK, citing ‘red lines’
A senior member of Hong Kong’s leading independent pollster, #ChungKim-wah has left for the UK, calling the city a place where one may “no longer live normally and without intimidation.”
In his lengthy statement on Facebook, Chung said he had not initially considered emigrating.
“Now, I can only hope that the skies will be broader, the air fresher… and that I don’t have to think about whether the red lines that move arbitrarily will one day target me,” deputy CEO of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (#HKPORI) Chung wrote.
He added that he did not want his friends and loved ones – especially his elderly parents – to worry about him. “I am apologetic that I left without saying goodbye, and I regret that I couldn’t say farewell to you all,” Chung said.
#NationalSecurityLaw #WhiteTerror
Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Apr
https://bit.ly/3kb6J9X
Senior member of Hong Kong pollster leaves city for the UK, citing ‘red lines’
A senior member of Hong Kong’s leading independent pollster, #ChungKim-wah has left for the UK, calling the city a place where one may “no longer live normally and without intimidation.”
In his lengthy statement on Facebook, Chung said he had not initially considered emigrating.
“Now, I can only hope that the skies will be broader, the air fresher… and that I don’t have to think about whether the red lines that move arbitrarily will one day target me,” deputy CEO of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (#HKPORI) Chung wrote.
He added that he did not want his friends and loved ones – especially his elderly parents – to worry about him. “I am apologetic that I left without saying goodbye, and I regret that I couldn’t say farewell to you all,” Chung said.
#NationalSecurityLaw #WhiteTerror
Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Apr
https://bit.ly/3kb6J9X
#Exodus #Oppression
Pro-democracy political cartoonist announces departure from Hong Kong citing ‘great mental stress’
The comic artist, #AhTo, who has drawn satirical cartoons about local politics for 11 years, made the announcement on social media.
He shared a drawing of one of his iconic characters standing in front of what appeared to be the London cityscape and said he left because he “wanted to continue creating for HK.”
"Staying in HK to produce political cartoon [causes] great mental stress. [I] have no alternative but to leave,” the artist wrote on Facebook, without stating his destination.
Ah To said he had considered giving up on political cartoons in 2017 when HK’s social movement was “at low tide.” He also thought about changing the theme of his work last year.
But he deemed that HK “needed political cartoons,” and said he wanted to “persist” by remotely creating cartoons for his home city.
#WhiteTerror #NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Apr26
https://bit.ly/3MwJfIk
Pro-democracy political cartoonist announces departure from Hong Kong citing ‘great mental stress’
The comic artist, #AhTo, who has drawn satirical cartoons about local politics for 11 years, made the announcement on social media.
He shared a drawing of one of his iconic characters standing in front of what appeared to be the London cityscape and said he left because he “wanted to continue creating for HK.”
"Staying in HK to produce political cartoon [causes] great mental stress. [I] have no alternative but to leave,” the artist wrote on Facebook, without stating his destination.
Ah To said he had considered giving up on political cartoons in 2017 when HK’s social movement was “at low tide.” He also thought about changing the theme of his work last year.
But he deemed that HK “needed political cartoons,” and said he wanted to “persist” by remotely creating cartoons for his home city.
#WhiteTerror #NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Apr26
https://bit.ly/3MwJfIk
#Oppression
Hong Kong Book Expo bans pro-democracy publisher without an explanation
Source: Luminant Hong Kong; #May18
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Hong Kong Book Expo bans pro-democracy publisher without an explanation
Source: Luminant Hong Kong; #May18
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#Oppression
Hong Kong Book Expo bans pro-democracy publisher without an explanation
A pro-democracy publisher founded by a teacher who was injured in the anti-extradition bill protests in 2019 has been rejected from participating in the Hong Kong Book Fair.
In a statement published on May 17, #HillwayPress said it had been notified by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (#HKTDC) that its request to participate in July’s book fair had not been approved, “without any explanation.”
#RaymondYeung, the founder of Hillway Press said that Hong Kong’s annual book fair was a “thermometer measuring the freedom of publishing in Hong Kong.”
The HKTDC’s rejection of an institution which exhibited socio-political texts and was willing to abide by regulations… means that Hong Kong readers won’t have the opportunity to encounter these books,” the statement read.
The publisher said it was was “extremely regretful” that the organiser was “unwilling to give a reasonable explanation to ease people’s concerns.”
Hillway Press said in its statement that it was “always mentally prepared to have an alternative plan” for being rejected from taking part in the annual book expo.
The publisher announced in the same statement that it would be hosting its own book fair that “truly belongs to Hongkongers.”
Source: Luminant Hong Kong; #May18
https://t.me/luminanthk/5457
Hong Kong Book Expo bans pro-democracy publisher without an explanation
A pro-democracy publisher founded by a teacher who was injured in the anti-extradition bill protests in 2019 has been rejected from participating in the Hong Kong Book Fair.
In a statement published on May 17, #HillwayPress said it had been notified by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (#HKTDC) that its request to participate in July’s book fair had not been approved, “without any explanation.”
#RaymondYeung, the founder of Hillway Press said that Hong Kong’s annual book fair was a “thermometer measuring the freedom of publishing in Hong Kong.”
The HKTDC’s rejection of an institution which exhibited socio-political texts and was willing to abide by regulations… means that Hong Kong readers won’t have the opportunity to encounter these books,” the statement read.
The publisher said it was was “extremely regretful” that the organiser was “unwilling to give a reasonable explanation to ease people’s concerns.”
Hillway Press said in its statement that it was “always mentally prepared to have an alternative plan” for being rejected from taking part in the annual book expo.
The publisher announced in the same statement that it would be hosting its own book fair that “truly belongs to Hongkongers.”
Source: Luminant Hong Kong; #May18
https://t.me/luminanthk/5457
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幽光 Luminant Hong Kong
【香港人書展| 《山道文化》申參加「香港書展2022」遭貿發局拒絕 望辦「香港人書展」：一個真正屬於香港人、香港人值得擁有的書展】
出版社《山道文化》傍晚在社交平台發文指，昨（16日）接獲貿發局通知，決定不接納其參加「香港書展2022 」之申請。
內文提及《山道》已參與兩屆香港書展，今年亦按程序申請參展，並獲貿發局電郵通知，提醒參與書展的攤位選擇會。惟後來貿發局於5月5日晚上6時及11時，分別以電話與電郵通知《山道》因出現技術問題，攤位選擇會需要延遲，將盡快告知最新安排。最終，貿發局於昨日以電郵通知…
出版社《山道文化》傍晚在社交平台發文指，昨（16日）接獲貿發局通知，決定不接納其參加「香港書展2022 」之申請。
內文提及《山道》已參與兩屆香港書展，今年亦按程序申請參展，並獲貿發局電郵通知，提醒參與書展的攤位選擇會。惟後來貿發局於5月5日晚上6時及11時，分別以電話與電郵通知《山道》因出現技術問題，攤位選擇會需要延遲，將盡快告知最新安排。最終，貿發局於昨日以電郵通知…
#Oppression #June4
Hong Kong authorities "blocked" venue booking for once-annual candlelight vigil for Tiananmen massacre victims for a third year running
Sources: Ming Pao; #May24, #May27
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Hong Kong authorities "blocked" venue booking for once-annual candlelight vigil for Tiananmen massacre victims for a third year running
Sources: Ming Pao; #May24, #May27
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#Oppression #June4
Hong Kong authorities "blocked" venue for once-annual candlelight vigil for Tiananmen massacre victims for a third year running
On May 24, a local daily, Ming Pao reported that the Leisure and Cultural Service Department (#LCSD), which administers the Victoria Park soccer pitches where the rally used to take place, has suspended any bookings on June 4, the 33rd anniversary of the #TiananmenMassacre, although bookings are available on other days in the same month.
Just 3 days afterwards, on May 27, the football pitches at Victoria Park were seen fully booked on June 4 from as early as 7am in the morning. No bookings, however, were seen for the rest of June. The same daily found.
The vigil has been banned -- ostensibly for public health reasons -- for the past two years and the leaders of its organizing group, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, arrested for colluding with foreign powers under a national security law imposed by Beijing from July 1, 2020.
Sources:
Ming Pao; #May24
https://bit.ly/3avt8NF
Ming Pao; #May27
https://bit.ly/3M00GjM
---
Related news
Hong Kong Catholic group will not hold Tiananmen crackdown masses citing fears over national security law
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32764
.
Hong Kong authorities "blocked" venue for once-annual candlelight vigil for Tiananmen massacre victims for a third year running
On May 24, a local daily, Ming Pao reported that the Leisure and Cultural Service Department (#LCSD), which administers the Victoria Park soccer pitches where the rally used to take place, has suspended any bookings on June 4, the 33rd anniversary of the #TiananmenMassacre, although bookings are available on other days in the same month.
Just 3 days afterwards, on May 27, the football pitches at Victoria Park were seen fully booked on June 4 from as early as 7am in the morning. No bookings, however, were seen for the rest of June. The same daily found.
The vigil has been banned -- ostensibly for public health reasons -- for the past two years and the leaders of its organizing group, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, arrested for colluding with foreign powers under a national security law imposed by Beijing from July 1, 2020.
Sources:
Ming Pao; #May24
https://bit.ly/3avt8NF
Ming Pao; #May27
https://bit.ly/3M00GjM
---
Related news
Hong Kong Catholic group will not hold Tiananmen crackdown masses citing fears over national security law
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32764
.
明報新聞網 - 每日明報 daily news
維園足球場 6月4日不出租 康署稱因疫情停非指定用途訂場 警未接公眾活動申請 - 20220524 - 要聞
【明報專訊】今年是六四事件33周年，也是《港區國安法》實施後，第二個六四周年。有市民昨致電康文署，查詢6月4日維園足球場出租情况，該署職員表明當日康文署暫停足球場出租，同月其他日子可以預約租用。康文署昨未正面回應為何足球場於6月4日不出租，稱因應新冠病毒疫情，已暫停處理轄下免費康體場地作一般非指定用途活動的預訂申請，該署亦未有接獲市民申請於6月1至5日期間租用維園足球場舉辦非指定用途活動的查詢或申請。
#WhiteTerror #FreedomofReligion
Cardinal Joseph Zen appears in court in Hong Kong on day of prayer for China
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #Oppression
Image source: #FirstHand
Sources: Reuters, HKFP, UCA News; #May25
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32790
Cardinal Joseph Zen appears in court in Hong Kong on day of prayer for China
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #Oppression
Image source: #FirstHand
Sources: Reuters, HKFP, UCA News; #May25
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32790
#WhiteTerror #FreedomofReligion
Cardinal Joseph Zen appears in court in Hong Kong on day of prayer for China
Ninety-year-old retired Catholic cardinal #JosephZen hosted a packed mass in Hong Kong on the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, just hours after a brief court hearing over charges linked to pro-democracy protests.
In his homily after pleading not guilty to charges of failing to register a pro-democracy association to Hong Kong Police, Zen chose not to speak about his legal case, but to highlight how Catholics in some parts of China cannot attend Mass right now — for they have no freedom now.
Zen dedicated the mass to churches in China where believers are still split between a so-called “underground” church resistant to the government, and a state-sanctioned church belonging to the Chinese Communist Party’s Patriotic Catholic Association.
In his remarks at Mass, Zen again criticised the deal between China and the #Vatican that allows Beijing to nominate bishops for the pope’s approval, calling it “unwise” despite being made with “good intention”.
"There is an urge to unify those above the ground and those underground but it seems that time is not ripe yet,” Zen said.
Implying that there may be more difficult times ahead, Zen said that “we may have to bear some pain and steel ourselves for our loyalty to our faith.”
He also dedicated prayers to churches in Myanmar led by #CardinalBo, his most outspoken supporter in Asia, as well as “brothers and sisters who cannot join tonight because they are not free”.
Zen, one of Asia’s highest-ranking Catholic clerics, was among five prominent democracy advocates — including activist and singer #DeniseHo and veteran human rights barrister #MargaretNg — who were arrested in early May. His arrest is part of a national security police probe into foreign collusion over a legal support fund for pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
Instead, all five of the fund’s former trustees and its secretary were charged on May 24 with failing to register it as a “society” with police — a non-national security offence. All plead not guilty.
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #Oppression
Image source: #FirstHand
Sources: Reuters, HKFP, UCA News; #May25
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kong-catholic-cardinal-criticises-china-deal-after-national-security-arrest-2022-05-24/
-----
Related News
Hong Kong Catholic group will not hold Tiananmen crackdown masses citing fears over national security law
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32764
612 Fund Trustees and Secretary Plead Not Guilty for "Non-registered organisation" Charge
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32751
.
Cardinal Joseph Zen appears in court in Hong Kong on day of prayer for China
Ninety-year-old retired Catholic cardinal #JosephZen hosted a packed mass in Hong Kong on the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, just hours after a brief court hearing over charges linked to pro-democracy protests.
In his homily after pleading not guilty to charges of failing to register a pro-democracy association to Hong Kong Police, Zen chose not to speak about his legal case, but to highlight how Catholics in some parts of China cannot attend Mass right now — for they have no freedom now.
Zen dedicated the mass to churches in China where believers are still split between a so-called “underground” church resistant to the government, and a state-sanctioned church belonging to the Chinese Communist Party’s Patriotic Catholic Association.
In his remarks at Mass, Zen again criticised the deal between China and the #Vatican that allows Beijing to nominate bishops for the pope’s approval, calling it “unwise” despite being made with “good intention”.
"There is an urge to unify those above the ground and those underground but it seems that time is not ripe yet,” Zen said.
Implying that there may be more difficult times ahead, Zen said that “we may have to bear some pain and steel ourselves for our loyalty to our faith.”
He also dedicated prayers to churches in Myanmar led by #CardinalBo, his most outspoken supporter in Asia, as well as “brothers and sisters who cannot join tonight because they are not free”.
Zen, one of Asia’s highest-ranking Catholic clerics, was among five prominent democracy advocates — including activist and singer #DeniseHo and veteran human rights barrister #MargaretNg — who were arrested in early May. His arrest is part of a national security police probe into foreign collusion over a legal support fund for pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
Instead, all five of the fund’s former trustees and its secretary were charged on May 24 with failing to register it as a “society” with police — a non-national security offence. All plead not guilty.
#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #Oppression
Image source: #FirstHand
Sources: Reuters, HKFP, UCA News; #May25
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kong-catholic-cardinal-criticises-china-deal-after-national-security-arrest-2022-05-24/
-----
Related News
Hong Kong Catholic group will not hold Tiananmen crackdown masses citing fears over national security law
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32764
612 Fund Trustees and Secretary Plead Not Guilty for "Non-registered organisation" Charge
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32751
.
Reuters
Hong Kong Catholic cardinal criticises China deal after national security arrest
Hong Kong's Cardinal Joseph Zen - in his first public remarks since he was arrested in a national security case earlier this month - on Tuesday criticised the Vatican for its "unwise" deal with China that is due for renewal in September.
#FirstHand #June3
Hong Kong Police Blocks #VictoriaPark to Suppress Commemorative Events on #June4
The Hong Kong Police Force claimed on the afternoon of June 3 2022 that there were "people inciting others to conduct unauthorised activities" at Victoria Park on June 4th. As a result, the Leisure and Culture Service Department (#LCSD) announced the closure of the football pitches and some other areas in the Park from 11 pm on June 3 to 12:30 am on June 5, to prevent "unauthorised public assembly" which will "endanger public safety and public order", as well as to "reduce the risk of virus outbreak".
33 years ago on June 4, 1989, the Chinese Communist Party (#CCP) government sent troops to the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, wounding and killing pro-democracy protesters. An annual candlelight vigil had been held in Hong Kong until the enforcement of the #NationalSecurityLaw in 2020.
#PoliceState #Oppression #PublicAssembly
Hong Kong Police Blocks #VictoriaPark to Suppress Commemorative Events on #June4
The Hong Kong Police Force claimed on the afternoon of June 3 2022 that there were "people inciting others to conduct unauthorised activities" at Victoria Park on June 4th. As a result, the Leisure and Culture Service Department (#LCSD) announced the closure of the football pitches and some other areas in the Park from 11 pm on June 3 to 12:30 am on June 5, to prevent "unauthorised public assembly" which will "endanger public safety and public order", as well as to "reduce the risk of virus outbreak".
33 years ago on June 4, 1989, the Chinese Communist Party (#CCP) government sent troops to the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, wounding and killing pro-democracy protesters. An annual candlelight vigil had been held in Hong Kong until the enforcement of the #NationalSecurityLaw in 2020.
#PoliceState #Oppression #PublicAssembly
Hong Kong Police hunts down more pro-democracy advocates continues
Source: inmedia; #Jul05
#Oppression #YellowEconomicCircle #NationalSecurityLaw
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Source: inmedia; #Jul05
#Oppression #YellowEconomicCircle #NationalSecurityLaw
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
Hong Kong Police hunts down more pro-democracy advocates continues
On July 3, the Hong Kong National Security Police launched a high-profile search for eight Hong Kong citizens who are currently abroad. These individuals are suspected of violating the National Security Law, the police source said.
Today (July 5), the police arrested four men in Hong Kong, and conducted a search in a unit located in a Kwai Chung industrial building.
According to Hong Kong police, the arrested individuals are believed to have used their businesses, social media platforms, and mobile applications to collect funds. These funds were allegedly channeled towards supporting activities deemed detrimental to national security by Hong Kong citizens residing overseas.
The platform at the center of the investigation is identified as "PunishMee", an app that helps users find pro-democracy restaurants and businesses around the city. The police claims that it facilitated financial support for the eight Hong Kong citizens who are currently the subject of the manhunt.
The four apprehended individuals are currently being held for further investigation. The operation is ongoing, and law enforcement officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests in the near future.
Source: inmedia; #Jul05
https://bit.ly/3O0AtWA
#Oppression #YellowEconomicCircle #NationalSecurityLaw
On July 3, the Hong Kong National Security Police launched a high-profile search for eight Hong Kong citizens who are currently abroad. These individuals are suspected of violating the National Security Law, the police source said.
Today (July 5), the police arrested four men in Hong Kong, and conducted a search in a unit located in a Kwai Chung industrial building.
According to Hong Kong police, the arrested individuals are believed to have used their businesses, social media platforms, and mobile applications to collect funds. These funds were allegedly channeled towards supporting activities deemed detrimental to national security by Hong Kong citizens residing overseas.
The platform at the center of the investigation is identified as "PunishMee", an app that helps users find pro-democracy restaurants and businesses around the city. The police claims that it facilitated financial support for the eight Hong Kong citizens who are currently the subject of the manhunt.
The four apprehended individuals are currently being held for further investigation. The operation is ongoing, and law enforcement officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests in the near future.
Source: inmedia; #Jul05
https://bit.ly/3O0AtWA
#Oppression #YellowEconomicCircle #NationalSecurityLaw