TOP NEWS
This week, Hong Kong courts convicted 14 democracy activists in the city’s largest national security trial. They are among 47 pro-democracy figures arrested in February 2021 for participating in primary elections.
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation unequivocally condemns these sentences and calls for the immediate release of the 47 and all other political prisoners currently being held in Hong Kong prisons. The CFHK Foundation also urges the UK and US governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong’s leadership, shut down Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs), and provide humanitarian pathways for Hong Kongers seeking to leave the region.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) expressed concern over the convictions of the ‘Hong Kong 47’ and urged authorities to respect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy. In the UK, Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office also called on the Hong Kong government to end national security prosecutions and release all political prisoners.
Photo Credit: Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
In Washington, D.C., the CFHK Foundation joined Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Democracy Council in a joint statement opposing the visit of top Hong Kong government officials Paul Chan and Christine Choi to the U.S. amidst the ongoing crackdown on political freedoms in Hong Kong.
In the joint statement, we call on TPG, Plug & Play, and other U.S. organisations meeting with Chan and Choi to reconsider and publicly condemn their role in the crackdown. The CFHK Foundation urges the Biden Administration to impose further sanctions on Hong Kong officials, including Chan and Choi. We also call on the House of Representatives to give the HKETO Certification Act a floor vote as soon as possible. This bill would begin a process for revoking the special status of the three HKETOs in the US.
Jimmy Lai's Trial Update
The trial of Jimmy Lai continued on May 27th, and featured broadcasts of episodes from the “Live Chat with Jimmy Lai” series. One episode included an interview with former South China Morning Post Editor-in-Chief and president of the CFHK Foundation Mark Clifford and former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten.
Jimmy Lai said on the episode, “We have to go on and fight for the rule of law and freedom. But I don’t think we still have the space to do that because the national security law has totally intimidated people here, and we can’t have any demonstrations.” He also said, “Hong Kong is my home, and everything I do is to give back.”
Another segment from Lai’s interview in July 2019 was played in court in which he said, “I am 72 years old, I don’t care what happens to me,” and labelled the anti-extradition movement as their “last war."
Detailed trial updates available here: Support Jimmy Lai
Hong Kong
Hong Kong National Security police have made their first arrest under the new security law Article 23, which punishes treason and insurrection with up to life imprisonment. Six people, including jailed Tiananmen activist Chow Hang-tung, have been arrested for “publishing posts with seditious intent, taking advantage of an upcoming sensitive day.” The social media posts were made to a Facebook page with content marking next week’s 35th anniversary of the 1989 crackdown.
The 'Flame of Freedom' Blog🔥
Funds over freedom: Western companies bending to China’s demands for profit
This blog is authored by Alyssa Fong, Public Affairs and Advocacy Manager at the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation.
“The allure of China’s large consumer base is a powerful motivator for Western companies to oblige to the will of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but the pursuit of profit is now coming at the cost of Hong Kong’s history being erased.”
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