TOP NEWS
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation released a report titled “Beneath the Harbor: Hong Kong’s Leading Role in Sanctions Evasion,” authored by Samuel Bickett, a Hong Kong human rights lawyer and advocate. The report details Hong Kong’s leading role in facilitating the transfer of funding, oil, and restricted technology to Russia, Iran, and North Korea - three countries the international community has sanctioned for actions that threaten global security and stability.
Shannon Van Sant, strategy and public affairs advisor for CFHK Foundation, hosted a report launch at the Hudson Institute on Monday. The panel discussion included the report's author, Samuel Bickett, Olivia Enos, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, and Sunny Cheung, an associate fellow for China Studies at the Jamestown Foundation.
Several news publications quoted the report and CFHK Foundation:
“US sanctions have tanked Russian semi-chip imports from China and Hong Kong, new data shows,” Business Insider India
“多間香港公司被點名支援俄、伊 港府不作為被批不肯承擔國際義務,” Radio free Asia Cantonese [Article written in Cantonese]
“報告：香港成國際迴避制裁中心 協助俄、伊、北韓 呼籲制裁中港銀行,” Voice of America Cantonese [Article written in Cantonese]
“CFHK報告｜香港成「白手套」樞紐、「破壞制裁」角色 助俄羅斯、伊朗、北韓規避制裁,” Photon Media [Article written in Cantonese]
For media enquiries, please contact media@thecfhk.org
Jimmy Lai's Trial Update
Publisher Jimmy Lai's trial resumed briefly this week, marking the first session since June 11th. The hand-picked judges overseeing the trial rejected Lai’s attempt to get the case thrown out, arguing that the prosecution had not proven its case.
Lai is expected to testify when the trial resumes November 20th.
The CFHK Foundation condemns the delay of Jimmy Lai’s testimony as another attempt by authorities to silence his voice and draw out this sham trial. This postponement marks yet another instance of using Hong Kong courts to suppress voices who are guilty of nothing more than peacefully advocating for democracy in Hong Kong.
Detailed trial updates available here: Support Jimmy Lai
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Christian Institute, established in 1988, announced its decision to disband in a Facebook post on Tuesday. The post said the organisation “is constrained by the current social environment and is unable to operate freely to fulfil its mission.” The institute was a supporter of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement and joins dozens of civil society groups that have shut down since the implementation of the 2020 national security law.
A Hong Kong man has been convicted of insulting the Chinese national anthem. In June 2023 Chan Pak-yui covered his ears and sang Les Miserables’ “Do You Hear the People Sing” during the playing of the Chinese national anthem at an international volleyball game. Chan will return to court on August 19 for mitigation and sentencing. He faces possible fines and a two-year jail term.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), which organises the annual Hong Kong Book Fair, told an exhibitor to pull five books from its shelves due to complaints and “sensitive” content. “We don’t know where the line is. [The HKTDC’s] reasons were complaints and sensitive content, but these things are hard to grasp,” the exhibitor, a local independent publisher, said.
🔥 'Flame of Freedom' Blog
Coming Soon to the Houses of Parliament… the APPG on Arbitrarily Detained Persons
This blog was authored by Jonas Helyar, Director of Advocacy at the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign.
“With sustained parliamentary attention and a commitment to change, we can hope to see fewer British citizens used as political pawns and more families reunited. The message is clear: it's time for the UK to step up and lead in the fight against state hostage-taking.”
Read More Here.
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