#StandNews #Crackdown
Stand News: Operation ceased; social media accounts will be removed

Full translation of the announcement:

Today (Dec 29), Hong Kong Police arrested a number of our current and former management staff, and took away others for investigations. Police has also confiscated a number of computers and documents from our office. Stand News has offered help to the affected staff.

In light of these circumstances, Stand News will cease operation immediately; updates to the website and all social media are also stopped immediately, and will be removed within the day. Acting chief editor Lam Shiu-tong has already resigned; all Stand News staff are immediately laid off.

Stand News, formerly House News, was established in December 2014. Operating according to non-profit principles, it makes its stand on the home soil of Hong Kong. Its editing policy is independent, and strives to safeguard Hong Kong's core values: democracy, human rights, freedom, the rule of law, justice, and many more. It ceases operation on December 29, 2021.

We thank all readers for their continued support.

Stand News
2021.12.19

#Dec29 #PoliticalOppression #FreedomOfSpeech #Crackdown #PressFreedom #MediaLandscape #PoliceState #Regime #Arrest

====
Related News:

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

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

#PoliceState #Arrest
Hong Kong Police Issues Arrest warrant for the founder of Stand News

Hong Kong national security police crackdown on Stand News on early morning of December 29, 2021 and arrested 7 current and former staff members of the pro-democracy newspaper.

Sources revealed that the Hong Kong Police is seeking to arrest the paper's founder Tony Choi Tung-ho. Choi had reportedly left Hong Kong to reside in Australia.

Source: Citizen News #Dec29

#Media #PoliceState #Regime

====
Related News:

Stand News: Operation ceased; social media accounts will be removed
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31757

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

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

#StandNews Thanks Hongkongers for Their Support Despite Political Oppression
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31765

The Last Day of #StandNews: Hongkongers' Professionalism and Perseverance

Stand News, an independent news outlet in Hong Kong, was founded in December 2014, and it has come to an end after seven years.

Two years ago in 2019, Hong Kong was caught up in the historic #AntiELAB movement. Stand News provided live streams on the frontlines in various districts, narrating the latest situation live, recording the city's most tumultuous moments. Their efforts made Stand News stand out from the numerous news media platforms.

In June 2021, the National Security Bureau arrested senior personnel from #NextMedia, forcing the shut down of #AppleDaily and leading to the closure of a number of publications. Stand News became the largest open, pro-democracy online news website in Hong Kong.

However, the #HKSAR government singled out Stand News on numerous occasions this year, accusing the company for "misleading" reporting of the CUHK clashes and smart prisons.

Finally on December 29, 2021, after a number of current and former seniors were arrested and the company's assets frozen, Stand News announces to cease operation and to dismiss its entire staff.

Staff members returned to the Stand News office in the afternoon, one after another. By the evening, many of them are still in the office, and rounds of applause are occasionally heard. They also took photographs with the journalists waiting outside the office, recording of their moment in history: "I have fought a good fight."

Stand News suspends its website, Facebook page, Youtube channel, and Twitter and Instagram accounts at 11pm on December 29. All content has been removed.

Source: CitizenNews; InMedia #Dec29

#Media #PoliticalOppression #PressFreedom #Regime #Arrest #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #NSL

====
Related News:

Stand News: Operation ceased; social media accounts will be removed
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31757

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

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

Stand News Thanks Hongkongers for Their Support Despite #PoliticalOppression
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31765

Hong Kong Police Issues Arrest warrant for Stand News founder
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31766

The Last Stand of #StandNews in Hong Kong
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31770

Pro-democracy Hong Kong Singer #DeniseHo Arrested by National Secutity Police: I feel Alright

On December 29, 2021, the National Security Police in Hong Kong arrested singer #DeniseHo and 5 other current and former #StandNews senior personnel.

The authorities accused them of "conspiring to publish seditious publications."

Through the administrator of her facrbook page, after the arrest Denise Ho told Hongkongers, "I feel alright. To those who care about me, please don’t be worried."

Source: Yseedsmedia #Dec29

#HOCC #Media #PoliceState #Regime #Arrest

====
Related News:

Stand News: Operation ceased; social media accounts will be removed
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31757

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

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

#StandNews Thanks Hongkongers for Their Support Despite Political Oppression
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31765

#Court #PoliticalProsecution
Former #StandNews editors Denied Bail; UK office Ceases Operation a Day after crackdowns by Hong Kong Authorities

In Hong Kong, two former Stand News editors #ChungPuiKuen and Patrick #LamSiuTung were denied bail by West Kowloon Court on 30 December, 2021, one day after they were arrested by Hong Kong national security police.

Former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen, and former acting editor-in-chief #PatrickLam were accused of "conspiring with others to publish or reproduce seditious publications" between July 7, 2020 and December 29, 2021.

Chung was the only defendant appeared at the hearing while Lam could not attend due to health reasons. Both defendants were remanded in custody as the magistrate was not convinced that they would not carry out acts endangering national security.

Outside the magistrate court, tens of former employees of Stand News gathered to bid farewell to Chung Pui-kuen. Many of them broke into tears as they waved goodbye to Chung. Others called out words of encouragement for Chung to stay strong.

Police on the site, however, shouted at the crowd disrespectfully, ordering them to go away and leave.

Meanwhile, #YeungTinShui, head of Stand News’ office in the UK, announced on Facebook on December 30, 2021 that the office has ceased operations and he had resigned.

On December 29, 2021, the national security police arrested senior staff members and board directors of Stand News and froze the outlet's assets that worth HK$61 million. The Force raided the news outlet's newsroom and offices in Hong Kong, seized 62 computers, 27 storage devices and six boxes of documents in the operation. Stand News, a popular pro-democracy online media outlet, was forced to fold its operation and dismissed all employees on the same day.

#Media #PoliticalOppression #PressFreedom #Arrest #Regime #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution

Source: Inmediahk.net, RTHK; #Dec30
https://bit.ly/31bUO5L

====
Related News:

Stand News: Operation ceased; social media accounts will be removed
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31757

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

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

Stand News Thanks Hongkongers for Their Support Despite #PoliticalOppression
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31765

Hong Kong Police Issues Arrest warrant for Stand News founder
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31766

#WhiteTerror #PressFreedom
“Is there any trustworthy media outlet left in Hong Kong?” ask Readers of now-defunct Stand News

In Hong Kong, Stand News, an independent pro-democracy media outlet, was forced into closure on December 29, 2021 when 7 personnel linked to the outlet were arrested by the National Security police on suspicion of “conspiracy to distribute seditious publications”.

In late evening on the same day, a young couple, Ah Wai and his girlfriend, who resides in Wong Tai Sin went all the way to the news outlet’s office in Kwun Tong to bid farewell to the reporters.

“We want to thank the reporters of Stand News," said the couple. "We’ve been reading their news reports. Without their hard work, there won’t be anything worth reading [in Hong Kong].”

The young couple used to read #AppleDaily. After Apple Daily was forced to close down in June this year, they switched to Stand News. Although both acknowledged that local authorities were set to crackdown on Stand News, they didn’t expect it to happen that day.

The couple told reporters that they were astonished to learn that senior staff members of Stand News were arrested, and the newsroom being raided. It took a long time for Ah Wai’s girlfriend to settle her mind before she could get back to work. They watched the latest video published by Stand News on its social media, "2021 Tree Cave" and shared that with their friends, regardless of their political orientation.

“I believe disseminating their work is the best way to show our respect to Stand News. Reporters who produced the video would certainly want more people to know about it.”

Ah Wai’s girlfriend continued saying that the last video produced by Stand News has been keeping her company and heartened. “[The video] tells more than how gloomy an era we are facing, it tried to shed lights for us to carry on our lives.”

It is for the same reason that took the young couple to the office of Stand News. “[we] perhaps can’t do anything for the reporters, but we can at least keep them companied.”

She added that pro-democracy media outlets in Hong Kong have been targeted and cracked down one after another in the past 6 months. Stand News was among the few trusted outlets left for her to “learn the fact and true happenings in Hong Kong.”

With Stand News closing down, she sighed and felt losing connection with society.

In her keen voice, she asked the reporters, “is there any trustworthy news outlet left in Hong Kong?”

Inside the office of Stand News in this late evening, many staff members lingered on chatting with each other. Some of them walked by the door where Ah Wai and his girlfriend were standing. Ah Wai’s girlfriend waved to them to say thank you, “thank you for the hard work. I read news reports on Stand News almost every day. They become my long-time companion. I hope you all can find your own way and carry on.”

Source: Inmediahk.net; #Dec30
https://bit.ly/3sHeZUq

#Solidarity #Humanity #Crackdown #PressFreedom #PoliticalOppression #StandNews #Readers #Hongkongers

#Cantopop #HongKongSinger
Denise Ho Sing On After Arrest and Thank Cantopop Diva Anita Mui: "Do what you should do in the limited time you have"

Pro-democracy Hong Kong Cantopop singer #DeniseHo (#HOCC) is among the 6 Stand News staff members and directors who were arrested by National Security Police on suspicion of "conspiring to publishing seditious publications."

After being released on bail on December 30, 2021, Ho carried on with her online concert "HOCC MINILIVE" on 2 January 2022, as scheduled.

At the end of the concert, Ho thanked her mentor and Cantopop legend, the late #AnitaMui, for mentoring her and taking her in as family. "Without her, I believe I wouldn't find the courage to stand up at this very important moment."

During her detention, Ho resorted to meditation and chanting scriptures to pass time. Later she started singing songs by fellow pro-democracy musicians Anita Mui and Anthony Wong. "As I sang, I realized the power of music," Ho recalled. "It goes beyond entertaining people; it offers healing and companionship."

Ho has been insistent at holding this concert. In a broken voice, she thanked her supporting staff; with only a brief exchange of glances, her crew members understood that she wanted to go ahead with this concert, "no matter if she would be here or not."

She also offered words of encouragement to herself and her supporters, "Do what you should do in the limited time you have," and "do well at what you do best."

Source: InmediaHK; #Jan2
https://bit.ly/3sRBLZY

#DeniseHo #HongKongMusic #StandNews #Crackdown #Culture #Conscience

====
Related articles
Pro-democracy Hong Kong Singer #DeniseHo Arrested by National Secutity Police: I feel Alright
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31773

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

#WhiteTerror #Crackdown
At least 6 more pro-democracy online media closed down in Hong Kong

Ten days after Hong Kong authorities' crackdown on pro-democracy media outlet, Stand News, on December 29, 2021, at least six online media have announced closesure in the new year.

As of January 6, 2022, news outlets that announced closure or ceased news reporting include:

- Independent Media News (香港獨媒新聞);
- IBHK Internet media (IBHK網絡媒體);
- Citizen News (衆新聞);
- Mad Dog News (癲狗日報);
- Dare Media Hong Kong (够薑媒體); and
- Polymer (聚言時報)

#FreedomOfPublication #PoliticalProsecution #PressFreedom #Media #PoliceState #Regime #Censorship

Source: Inmediahk; #Jan6
https://bit.ly/3f0tE4Y

====
Related News

Prosecution of #StandNews by HK Authorities Causes #CitizenNews to Close; Chief Editors: Do Not Give Up
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31819

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

#PoliceState #Crackdown
Former Confederation of Trade Unions leaders brought in for questioning by Hong Kong national security police

Four former leaders of a disbanded pro-democracy union have reportedly been brought in for questioning by Hong Kong’s national security police after allegedly failing to supply information about its past activities.

"The core members of the CTU allegedly violated the Societies Ordinance and needed to assist our investigations," a police source said.

The former chair of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU) Joe Wong, former vice-chair Leo Tang, ex-treasurer Chung Chung-fai, and former general secretary Lee Cheuk-yan – who is currently behind bars – were taken on March 31, 2022 to assist police investigations.

The HKCTU was Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy union coalition, representing almost 100 affiliated organisations totalling around 145,000 members, before its dissolution in October 2021.

Despite the shutdown, the Security Bureau issued a statement saying any organisation or its members would “remain criminally liable” for offences committed, regardless of disbandment.

Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Mar31
https://bit.ly/3LxdqyP

#PoliceState #Crackdown
Former Confederation of Trade Unions leaders brought in for questioning by Hong Kong national security police

Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Mar31

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#PoliceState #Crackdown
Former Confederation of Trade Unions leaders brought in for questioning by Hong Kong national security police

Four former leaders of a disbanded pro-democracy union have reportedly been brought in for questioning by Hong Kong’s national security police after allegedly failing to supply information about its past activities.

"The core members of the CTU allegedly violated the Societies Ordinance and needed to assist our investigations," a police source said.

The former chair of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU) Joe Wong, former vice-chair Leo Tang, ex-treasurer Chung Chung-fai, and former general secretary Lee Cheuk-yan – who is currently behind bars – were taken on March 31, 2022 to assist police investigations.

The HKCTU was Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy union coalition, representing almost 100 affiliated organisations totalling around 145,000 members, before its dissolution in October 2021.

Despite the shutdown, the Security Bureau issued a statement saying any organisation or its members would “remain criminally liable” for offences committed, regardless of disbandment.

Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Mar31
https://bit.ly/3LxdqyP

#Crackdown #Censorship
Slogan dedicated to victims of Tiananmen crackdown has been painted over and lined with a row of potted plants in a Hong Kong University

#CUHK #LingnanU #HKU #PillarOfShame #Education #FreedomOfSpeech

Source: Inmediahk; #Mar31
Photo credit: HKFP

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#Crackdown #Censorship
Slogan dedicated to victims of Tiananmen crackdown has been painted over and lined with a row of potted plants in a Hong Kong University

Residents at Swire Hall of the University of Hong Kong (#HKU) painted a slogan on the bridge after the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989.

Every year since then, HKU students have retouched the slogan, which read: “Souls of martyrs shall forever linger despite the brutal massacre; Spark of democracy shall forever glow for the demise of evils.”

33 years later, the university cordoned off the bridge claiming for “regular maintenance works”. Later on the slogan was found covered with cement and on top of it, a row of flower pots was added.

The removal of the slogan was part of a wider clampdown on commemorations of the Tiananmen crackdown at universities across Hong Kong.

In December, HKU dismantled the Pillar of Shame statue – an eight-metre sculpture that depicts bloodied bodies bundled together – in the middle of the night.

The next day, also in the early hours, a Goddess of Democracy statue and a relief sculpture were taken down at Chinese University (#CUHK) and Lingnan University (#LingnanU).

#CUHK #LingnanU #HKU #PillarOfShame #Education #FreedomOfSpeech

Source: Inmediahk; #Mar31
https://bit.ly/3J16po2

Photo credit: HKFP

#Crackdown
IPAC : It is absurd that mere applause during a court case can be construed as a seditious act

#NationalSecurityLaw #CCP #June4 #ChowHangTung

Source: The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China; #Apr6
Image source: RFA; #Apr8

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#Crackdown
IPAC : It is absurd that mere applause during a court case can be construed as a seditious act

The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (#IPAC) condemns the arrest of 6 individuals on suspicion of seditious intention to incite hatred, contempt or rebellion against the administration of justice in Hong Kong after applauding during the trial of Chow Hang-tung’s June Fourth memorial incitement case in early 2022. 

The individuals arrested include the vice-chairman of the now disbanded Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (#HKCTU), Leo Tang, and citizen journalist Siew Yun-Long (Siu Wan).

The sedition charges were made under Sections 9 and 10 of the Crimes Ordinance – colonial era laws that have been criticised by the UN Human Rights Committee and frequently used by the Hong Kong authorities to crack down on legitimate protest.

The other individuals arrested were citizen observers at the courts who frequently witness political cases. 

"Not only are these charges wrong and to be condemned, but they also demonstrate how far the rule of law has deteriorated in Hong Kong," IPAC said in its statement.

IPAC also calls on governments to hold the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to account for these abuses and appeals for all overseas judges to withdraw from serving on Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal in this further undermining of the independence and integrity of Hong Kong’s legal system.

Read IAPC statement :
https://ipac.global/statement-on-the-arrest-of-journalists-trade-unionists-and-other-citizen-court-obervers-in-hong-kong/

#NationalSecurityLaw #CCP #June4 #ChowHangTung

Source: The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China; #Apr6
Image source: RFA; #Apr8

-----
Related article:
Hong Kong #NationalSecurityPolice arrest 6 under sedition law over ‘causing nuisance’ during court hearings
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32529
.

#Arrest #StandNews
Hong Kong journalist Allan Au arrested by national security police

#NationalSecurityLaw #FreedomOfSpeech #Sedition #Crackdown

Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Apr11

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#Arrest #StandNews
Hong Kong journalist Allan Au arrested by national security police

Hong Kong veteran journalist #AllanAu was arrested by national security police in the morning of April 11 for allegedly conspiring to publish seditious materials, under the colonial-era anti-sedition legislation.

Linked to the Stand News case, Au is the 8th member being arrested following 7 others in December 2021.

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

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

Hong Kong Police Issues Arrest warrant for Stand News founder
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31766

The 54-year-old journalist was previously a columnist for outlets including Stand News and Ming Pao. Au was taken away from his home in Lai Chi Kok by the National Security police to the police station in Kwai Chung.

#NationalSecurityLaw #FreedomOfSpeech #Crackdown #Sedition

Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Apr11

https://bit.ly/3E1djc5

#Court
High Court Judge Claims First Aiders "Encourage" Fighting, as First Aider Appeals 4-Year Rioting Sentence

In Hong Kong, the High Court has heard an appeal against the conviction of a 26-year-old man sentenced to four years for rioting in a 2019 #AntiELAB protest.

The man is one of 16 charged with rioting in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai on 31 August 2019, the fifth anniversary of the Chinese congress’ ’31 August decision’ to limit candidacy and representation in Hong Kong’s elections.

While six of the accused were acquitted, the man, who maintained that he was volunteering as a #FirstAider on the scene, was found guilty and handed a four-year sentence in 2021. He has now been incarcerated for over two years.

Citing the Lo Kin-man case, the appellate judge Derek Pang said on 28 July that a first aider can still be considered to have had a part in the riot.

“[Let’s say] you show up in a battle in a certain country’s military uniform. You have a red cross on your arm, and you’re a medic. Does that mean you’re not part of the frontline fighting? Isn’t that still a kind of support or encouragement?” Mr Pang said.

He added that helping someone of the same side in a riot to wash tear gas out their eyes is also a form of support. The appellant, he said, must have acted with the same purpose in mind as the rest of his camp.

“Why is it that you can’t possibly be one of the rioters if you’re a first aider? It’s not like you were with St John [Ambulance], is it?” Mr Pang said.

The prosecutor said it is for the court to decide if the appellant was a genuine first aider.

“A mere claim of having been a first aider [on the scene] doesn’t give one immunity,” she said.

Source: InMedia #Jul28
https://bit.ly/3S4TFTh

#HongKongProtests #PoliceState #FirstAider #PoliticalPersecution #Crackdown