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Hong Kong: outcry as activists arrested and pro-democracy candidates banned Hong Kong: outcry as activists arrested and pro-democracy candidates banned
(32 minutes later)
Disqualification of opposition figures under new security law imposed by China seen as political purge Disqualification of opposition figures under security law imposed by China seen as political purge
The arrests of four students in Hong Kong’s first crackdown on political figures after the enactment of a sweeping national security law imposed by China and the disqualification of at least 12 pro-democracy candidates in the legislative election have prompted widespread public outrage. The arrest of four students in Hong Kong’s first crackdown on political figures after the enactment of a sweeping national security law imposed by China and the disqualification of at least 12 pro-democracy candidates in the legislative election have prompted widespread public outrage.
Tony Chung, 19, the convenor of disbanded pro-independence group Studentlocalism and three other members were arrested late on Wednesday.Tony Chung, 19, the convenor of disbanded pro-independence group Studentlocalism and three other members were arrested late on Wednesday.
Without naming them, Hong Kong police’s newly formed national security division said young people aged between 16 and 21 were arrested under the new national security law for “organising and inciting secession” by their advocacy of independence. Without naming them, Hong Kong police’s newly-formed national security division said young people aged between 16 and 21 had been arrested under the new national security law for “organising and inciting secession” by their advocacy of independence.
Pro-Beijing press reported on the “thwarting” of the pro-independence group. The China-owned Wen Wei Po newspaper said the “national security police brandished its sword” in making the arrests and attacked the group for superficially closing but continuing to operate to “spread its pro-independence poison”.Pro-Beijing press reported on the “thwarting” of the pro-independence group. The China-owned Wen Wei Po newspaper said the “national security police brandished its sword” in making the arrests and attacked the group for superficially closing but continuing to operate to “spread its pro-independence poison”.
The national security law stipulates that secessionist crimes are punishable by three to 10 years in jail or, in “serious” cases, life imprisonment.The national security law stipulates that secessionist crimes are punishable by three to 10 years in jail or, in “serious” cases, life imprisonment.
The arrests were the most high-profile crackdown on political figures since the introduction on 1 July of the national security law, which punishes crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Ten people were arrested during a protest on national security charges on the first day of the law’s enactment.The arrests were the most high-profile crackdown on political figures since the introduction on 1 July of the national security law, which punishes crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Ten people were arrested during a protest on national security charges on the first day of the law’s enactment.
The suppression of pro-democracy activists stepped up on Thursday, with the Hong Kong government announcing that at least 12 opposition candidates have been barred from running in the legislative council elections. The elections, scheduled for September, are likely to be postponed for a year with the local press saying the government would use the coronavirus epidemic as a pretext to stop pro-democracy candidates from scoring a majority in the elections. The suppression of pro-democracy activists stepped up on Thursday, with the Hong Kong government announcing that at least 12 opposition candidates have been barred from running in the legislative council elections. The elections, scheduled for September, are likely to be postponed for a year with the local press saying the government would use the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to stop pro-democracy candidates from scoring a majority in the elections.
China’s liaison office said in a statement that it supported the disqualification of the pro-democracy politicians, particularly the 23-year-old activist Joshua Wong and lawyer Dennis Kwok. It stressed that the 12 have advocated independence, lobbied “foreign powers to put sanctions on Hong Kong”, vetoed government budgets and opposed the national security law. China’s liaison office said in a statement that it supported the disqualification of the pro-democracy politicians, particularly the 23-year-old activist Joshua Wong and lawyer Dennis Kwok. It alleged that the 12 have advocated independence, lobbied “foreign powers to put sanctions on Hong Kong”, vetoed government budgets and opposed the national security law.
“These people intended to paralyse the government and subvert state power ... how can they genuinely uphold the basic law [constitution] and swear loyalty to our country?” the statement said. “How can these heartless people be admitted into the chamber?”“These people intended to paralyse the government and subvert state power ... how can they genuinely uphold the basic law [constitution] and swear loyalty to our country?” the statement said. “How can these heartless people be admitted into the chamber?”
The Hong Kong government also said that people who advocate the city’s independence, solicited intervention by foreign governments or opposed the national security law, cannot uphold the duties of legislative council members. The Hong Kong government also said that people who advocated the city’s independence, solicited intervention by foreign governments or opposed the national security law, could not uphold the duties of legislative council members.
Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, said the move was “an outrageous political purge of Hong Kong’s democrats”.Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, said the move was “an outrageous political purge of Hong Kong’s democrats”.
“It is obviously now illegal to believe in democracy, although this was what Beijing promised in and after the [1984 Sino-British] joint declaration. This is the sort of behaviour that you would expect in a police state,” he said.“It is obviously now illegal to believe in democracy, although this was what Beijing promised in and after the [1984 Sino-British] joint declaration. This is the sort of behaviour that you would expect in a police state,” he said.
Kenneth Chan Ka-lok, political scientist at the Hong Kong Baptist University, said the disqualification is a violation of human and political rights that should be protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and “an excessive form of electoral manipulation to remove candidates that the state cannot stomach”. Kenneth Chan Ka-lok, a political scientist at the Hong Kong Baptist University, said the disqualification was a violation of human and political rights that should be protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and “an excessive form of electoral manipulation to remove candidates that the state cannot stomach”.
On the arrests of the four young activists, Nicholas Bequelin of Amnesty International said: “This first coordinated police operation to enforce Hong Kong’s national security law is a significant and alarming moment for the right to freedom of expression in the city. On the arrests of the four young activists, Nicholas Bequelin, of Amnesty International, said: “This first coordinated police operation to enforce Hong Kong’s national security law is a significant and alarming moment for the right to freedom of expression in the city.
“That four young people could potentially face life imprisonment on the basis of some social media posts lays bare the draconian nature of the national security law. The idea that anybody can now be jailed for expressing their political opinion on Facebook or Instagram will send a chill throughout Hong Kong society.”“That four young people could potentially face life imprisonment on the basis of some social media posts lays bare the draconian nature of the national security law. The idea that anybody can now be jailed for expressing their political opinion on Facebook or Instagram will send a chill throughout Hong Kong society.”
Critics said the group arrested on Wednesday had done little except to advocate their political opinions online. They said that despite the government’s reassurance that civil liberties were protected under the security law, it was sending a strong signal that voices of dissent will be ruthlessly suppressed. Critics said the group arrested on Wednesday had done little except to advocate their political opinions online. They said that despite the government’s reassurance that civil liberties were protected under the security law, it was sending a strong signal that voices of dissent would be ruthlessly suppressed.
“These arrests show exactly what the national security law is intended to achieve: criminalising free speech,” said Victoria Hui, a political scientist at the University of Notre Dame in the United States, noting that the four were just making a declaration on social media. “The law covers not just actions, but also ‘activities’ which we now know include any mention of the banned term: ‘Hong Kong independence.’”. “These arrests show exactly what the national security law is intended to achieve: criminalising free speech,” said Victoria Hui, a political scientist at the University of Notre Dame in the US, noting that the four were merely making a declaration on social media. “The law covers not just actions, but also ‘activities’ which we now know include any mention of the banned term: ‘Hong Kong independence’.”.
“Their young age shows how Beijing has alienated young Hongkongers. Instead of wooing hearts, Beijing has treated them as enemies and taken all possible measures to destroy them,” she said.“Their young age shows how Beijing has alienated young Hongkongers. Instead of wooing hearts, Beijing has treated them as enemies and taken all possible measures to destroy them,” she said.
Kenneth Chan, political scientist at the Hong Kong Baptist University said: “This shows the clear intention of the newly established national security agency to eagerly use their powers given by the new law to draw ‘red lines’ and ‘no-go areas’ in Hong Kong.” Chan said: “This shows the clear intention of the newly established national security agency to eagerly use their powers given by the new law to draw ‘red lines’ and ‘no-go areas’ in Hong Kong.”
After the enactment of the security law, the Hong Kong government also banned the popular protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our times” and the protest song “Glory to Hong Kong”, saying these effectively advocated independence from China and therefore breached the law.After the enactment of the security law, the Hong Kong government also banned the popular protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our times” and the protest song “Glory to Hong Kong”, saying these effectively advocated independence from China and therefore breached the law.
“It is a reflection of a besieged mentality which imagines the nation and the city are subverted by enemies of the state within and without,” Chan said.“It is a reflection of a besieged mentality which imagines the nation and the city are subverted by enemies of the state within and without,” Chan said.
Studentlocalism announced its closure on the eve of the enactment of the national security law but announced later the establishment of its US division. It said on social media on 21 July that a new group called Initiative Independence party had been set up by former members overseas.Studentlocalism announced its closure on the eve of the enactment of the national security law but announced later the establishment of its US division. It said on social media on 21 July that a new group called Initiative Independence party had been set up by former members overseas.
The Facebook page of the new group says it is pro-independence because “Hong Kong will never achieve democracy under China” and “building a Republic of Hong Kong … is our only way out.”The Facebook page of the new group says it is pro-independence because “Hong Kong will never achieve democracy under China” and “building a Republic of Hong Kong … is our only way out.”
On his Twitter account, media tycoon Jimmy Lai said: “China is purportedly the second most powerful nation in the world. What can four school age youngsters do to overthrow such super power?”On his Twitter account, media tycoon Jimmy Lai said: “China is purportedly the second most powerful nation in the world. What can four school age youngsters do to overthrow such super power?”