'Endure, everyone': final messages from Hong Kong democracy figures before detention
On Sunday (28 Feb), 47 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion over accusations of participating in or organising an unofficial primary election last year. All face terms of up to life in prison if convicted. Before they reported to police stations across the city to be detained, some sent messages to their supporters about justice, hope and endurance.
Fergus Leung Fong-wai, 23, district councillor and student, “continue to hold on. Remember the reasons why we chose to stand out.”
Owen Chow Ka-shing, 24, intended to run in the elections, “whether we are in the streets, in prison or overseas, hope will always be needed for us to keep fighting this endless battle ... Good luck to all of you out there.”
Lester Shum Ngo-fai, 27, district councillor, disqualified in July 2020, “do not feel demoralised, this road is our own. It is for Hong Kong people to choose together, it is the one we must walk together. History has no turnback points, only predecessors.”
Source: The Guardian #Mar01
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/01/endure-everyone-hong-kong-democracy-figures-messages-detention?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#HongKong #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL #MassArrest
On Sunday (28 Feb), 47 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion over accusations of participating in or organising an unofficial primary election last year. All face terms of up to life in prison if convicted. Before they reported to police stations across the city to be detained, some sent messages to their supporters about justice, hope and endurance.
Fergus Leung Fong-wai, 23, district councillor and student, “continue to hold on. Remember the reasons why we chose to stand out.”
Owen Chow Ka-shing, 24, intended to run in the elections, “whether we are in the streets, in prison or overseas, hope will always be needed for us to keep fighting this endless battle ... Good luck to all of you out there.”
Lester Shum Ngo-fai, 27, district councillor, disqualified in July 2020, “do not feel demoralised, this road is our own. It is for Hong Kong people to choose together, it is the one we must walk together. History has no turnback points, only predecessors.”
Source: The Guardian #Mar01
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/01/endure-everyone-hong-kong-democracy-figures-messages-detention?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#HongKong #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL #MassArrest
the Guardian
'Endure, everyone': final messages from Hong Kong democracy figures before detention
Politicians and campaigners - facing up to life in prison - sent messages of hope, justice and unity before reporting to police
Hong Kong Makes 100th Arrest Using National Security Law
On March 2 2021, Hong Kong made its 100th arrest under a national security law imposed less than a year (Jun 2020), while a mass bail hearing for dozens of pro-democracy activists was forced into a fourth day.
Former Next Digital Ltd. Executive Director Stephen Ting was detained on fraud allegations, the Oriental Daily newspaper reported, citing people it didn’t identify. Police issued a statement late Tuesday confirming the arrest of a 61-year-old man “after in-depth investigation by national security department.” Police didn’t name the person or his affiliation with Next Digital.
100 people arrested on suspicion of activities harming national security include 83 male suspects and 17 female aged between 16 to 79.
Source: Bloomberg #Mar03
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-03/hong-kong-makes-100th-arrest-using-china-drafted-security-law
#HongKong #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKPoliticsPrison
On March 2 2021, Hong Kong made its 100th arrest under a national security law imposed less than a year (Jun 2020), while a mass bail hearing for dozens of pro-democracy activists was forced into a fourth day.
Former Next Digital Ltd. Executive Director Stephen Ting was detained on fraud allegations, the Oriental Daily newspaper reported, citing people it didn’t identify. Police issued a statement late Tuesday confirming the arrest of a 61-year-old man “after in-depth investigation by national security department.” Police didn’t name the person or his affiliation with Next Digital.
100 people arrested on suspicion of activities harming national security include 83 male suspects and 17 female aged between 16 to 79.
Source: Bloomberg #Mar03
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-03/hong-kong-makes-100th-arrest-using-china-drafted-security-law
#HongKong #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKPoliticsPrison
Hong Kong: Prosecution of opposition figures an unprecedented attack on human rights
As regards a Hong Kong court’s decision to deny bail to 32 of 47 pro-democracy lawmakers and activists charged with “conspiracy to subversion” under Hong Kong’s national security and criminal laws, Amnesty International Hong Kong’s Programme Manager Lam Cho Ming said:
“These prosecutions are an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression and association in Hong Kong.”
“None of them have committed a recognized crime, but they have fallen victim to a national security law that deems people a ‘threat’ simply for the peaceful expression of political views and for taking part in the conduct of public affairs.”
“The targeting of these lawmakers and activists signals the government’s intention to close off any space for meaningful political participation in Hong Kong and discourage any future such activities.”
Source: Amnesty #Mar04
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/03/hk-opposition-prosecutions-an-unprecedented-attack-on-human-rights/
#HKNSL #HKNationalSecurityLaw #MassArrest #47ProDemocracyActivists
As regards a Hong Kong court’s decision to deny bail to 32 of 47 pro-democracy lawmakers and activists charged with “conspiracy to subversion” under Hong Kong’s national security and criminal laws, Amnesty International Hong Kong’s Programme Manager Lam Cho Ming said:
“These prosecutions are an unprecedented attack on freedom of expression and association in Hong Kong.”
“None of them have committed a recognized crime, but they have fallen victim to a national security law that deems people a ‘threat’ simply for the peaceful expression of political views and for taking part in the conduct of public affairs.”
“The targeting of these lawmakers and activists signals the government’s intention to close off any space for meaningful political participation in Hong Kong and discourage any future such activities.”
Source: Amnesty #Mar04
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/03/hk-opposition-prosecutions-an-unprecedented-attack-on-human-rights/
#HKNSL #HKNationalSecurityLaw #MassArrest #47ProDemocracyActivists
Amnesty International
Hong Kong: Opposition prosecutions an unprecedented attack on human rights
Hong Kong activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China
24 Hong Kong democracy activists including 13 in exile have warned the EU it must not ratify its planned new investment deal with China at a time when Beijing is tearing up international obligations to the people in Hong Kong
They have written to the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to call for the EU to refuse to sign the treaty until China’s national security laws are repealed and restrictions on who can stand for election are lifted.
The letter, facilitated by Hong Kong Watch, is co-signed by leading activists including Ted Hui, Lam Wing-kee, Brian Leung, Nathan Law, Joe Tay, Ray Wong, Glacier Kwong, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng and Joey Siu.
The activists write: “Given that Beijing is in the process of rewriting Hong Kong’s electoral system in direct contravention to its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, is currently undertaking mass arrests and trials of pro-democracy lawmakers and activists under the draconian National Security Law, and is infringing on basic freedoms guaranteed both under the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we do not see how the EU can move ahead with ratification of this investment treaty.”
Source: The Guardian #Mar11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/hong-kong-activists-urge-eu-not-to-ratify-new-deal-with-china
#HongKong #EUChinaInvestmentDeal #EU #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL
24 Hong Kong democracy activists including 13 in exile have warned the EU it must not ratify its planned new investment deal with China at a time when Beijing is tearing up international obligations to the people in Hong Kong
They have written to the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to call for the EU to refuse to sign the treaty until China’s national security laws are repealed and restrictions on who can stand for election are lifted.
The letter, facilitated by Hong Kong Watch, is co-signed by leading activists including Ted Hui, Lam Wing-kee, Brian Leung, Nathan Law, Joe Tay, Ray Wong, Glacier Kwong, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng and Joey Siu.
The activists write: “Given that Beijing is in the process of rewriting Hong Kong’s electoral system in direct contravention to its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, is currently undertaking mass arrests and trials of pro-democracy lawmakers and activists under the draconian National Security Law, and is infringing on basic freedoms guaranteed both under the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we do not see how the EU can move ahead with ratification of this investment treaty.”
Source: The Guardian #Mar11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/hong-kong-activists-urge-eu-not-to-ratify-new-deal-with-china
#HongKong #EUChinaInvestmentDeal #EU #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL
the Guardian
Hong Kong activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China
Exclusive: Activists say EU should refuse to sign treaty until national security laws and election restrictions are lifted
Business worries intensify over China’s tightening grip on Hong Kong
For businesses and investors in Hong Kong, how much is too much?
First there was an extradition bill which would allow Hong Kong residents to be extradited to China if it was passed as planned in 2019
The Chinese government unilaterally imposed a national security law on the supposedly autonomous territory a year later. In the event of any conflict between the national security law and freedoms guaranteed by Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, or Basic Law, the former prevails.
That might be more difficult than the executive imagines, as recent events have shown that Beijing is determined to apply the law very broadly.
Source: FT #Mar16
https://www.ft.com/content/098017c2-1c83-4da3-ac2a-53e7ed7fac81
#HongKong #HKNationalSecurityLaw #NSL
For businesses and investors in Hong Kong, how much is too much?
First there was an extradition bill which would allow Hong Kong residents to be extradited to China if it was passed as planned in 2019
The Chinese government unilaterally imposed a national security law on the supposedly autonomous territory a year later. In the event of any conflict between the national security law and freedoms guaranteed by Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, or Basic Law, the former prevails.
That might be more difficult than the executive imagines, as recent events have shown that Beijing is determined to apply the law very broadly.
Source: FT #Mar16
https://www.ft.com/content/098017c2-1c83-4da3-ac2a-53e7ed7fac81
#HongKong #HKNationalSecurityLaw #NSL