Agnes Chow, a former Hong Kong activist who was imprisoned for participating in pro-democracy demonstrations, announced on Sunday that she has relocated to Canada and has no plans to return to fulfill her bail requirements.
Chow gained widespread recognition as a prominent figure in the 2012, 2014, and 2019 protest movements in Hong Kong, advocating against the growing authoritarianism of Beijing. Alongside fellow activist Joshua Wong, she led the pro-democracy organization Demosisto.
She was imprisoned for approximately seven months for participating in a demonstration outside of the city’s police headquarters in 2019. This protest, which saw large crowds gathering week after week, posed the most significant opposition to China’s control since Hong Kong’s transfer of sovereignty in 1997.
Chow ended her two-and-a-half-year silence on her 27th birthday, Sunday, by publishing two posts. She had been keeping quiet since her release.
She stated that she no longer wants to be obligated to do anything and does not want to be compelled to go to mainland China.
She stated that her choice was influenced by “taking into account the circumstances in Hong Kong, my well-being, and my physical and emotional state.”
She stated that the stressors resulted in her being diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Chow stated that various mental health conditions led to an unstable state for both their body and mind.
She declared that she departed for Toronto in the middle of September to pursue her university studies, and she will not come back to Hong Kong in December to fulfill her bail conditions by reporting to the police.
In 2020, Chow was arrested, along with nine others, including media mogul Jimmy Lai, on charges of “colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security.”
Chow was freed on bail by the police, with requirements such as handing over her passport and regularly checking in with authorities.
During the beginning of July, the Hong Kong police proposed to give her passport back with the stipulation that Chow accompany them on a trip to the city of Shenzhen in mainland China.
She accepted the invitation and in the middle of August, she spent a day with a group of five police officers. They showed her an exhibit featuring China’s accomplishments and took her to the headquarters of tech giant Tencent. During the visit, she was asked to take photos.
Chow stated that they had sensed being observed during the entire journey.
The implementation of a national security law by Beijing has made dissent a criminal offense, resulting in the arrest, imprisonment, or escape of many of the city’s democracy advocates.
Wong was incarcerated in Hong Kong for his involvement in a case of “subversion.” Similarly, Nathan Law, another activist, has left the country with a bounty of HK$1m on his head.
The AFP has contacted the Hong Kong police for a response.
With Reuters and Agence France-Presse
Source: theguardian.com
