The Hong Kong police have put out rewards worth millions of dollars for any tips that lead to the capture of five activists living abroad. This effort is part of a larger campaign to suppress dissent following the implementation of a national security law imposed by China.
The action, which increases the number of overseas activists labeled as fugitives by authorities in July, has received backlash from the governments of the US and UK.
Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok, and Tony Choi are the five individuals who currently reside in different countries such as the US and UK.
Officer Steve Li of the Hong Kong police’s national security department stated that those who have fled overseas are still committing acts that pose a grave threat to national security under the national security law.
Five individuals have been charged with multiple violations of the security law, including instigating secession and subversion, as well as collaborating with foreign nations or external forces.
The police have released wanted posters and are offering a reward of HK$1m (£100,000) for each of the five individuals.
In 2020, Beijing implemented the national security law in Hong Kong following ongoing demonstrations against the government. This law carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment, for actions such as subversion, secession, collusion with foreign entities, and terrorism.
According to Siu, an advocate residing in Washington and holding US citizenship, this marks the initial instance of an American citizen being subject to such a warrant. She believes this highlights the national security law’s ability to extend beyond borders and the resulting intimidating impact.
She believes that democratic nations, particularly the US, should take the initiative in addressing transnational tactics of repression and harassment against activists like herself.
Another activist shrugged off the move. Simon Cheng, who is now based in Britain, posted on X: “If the government deems the quest for democracy and freedom a crime, we embrace the charges to reveal the genuine face of social justice, unyielding to authority.”
The US Department of State expressed strong condemnation for the actions of the Hong Kong government and its creation of a “bounty list” that targets democracy activists outside of the country.
“The state department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, expressed disapproval during a routine press conference on Thursday, stating that such actions demonstrate a clear disregard for international standards, democracy, and human rights. We condemn any efforts to enforce the national security law imposed by Beijing outside of its own borders and reaffirm that Hong Kong authorities have no authority within the United States. Here, advocates for democracy and freedom will continue to have their constitutionally protected freedoms and rights.”
The British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Cameron, stated that he had directed officials in Hong Kong, Beijing, and London to address the matter urgently with the authorities in Hong Kong and China.
Cameron released a statement from his office stating that any efforts by foreign powers to intimidate, harass, or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated. This poses a danger to our democracy and basic human rights.
The police in Hong Kong have reported the detainment of two males and two females, ages 29 to 68, for supposedly giving monetary support to two sought-after activists, Nathan Law and Ted Hui, through an internet-based fundraising platform.
These were the initial detentions based on financial support violations under the security law. The violation can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment.
Li stated that they focused on the core characteristics of the individuals they were looking for and made every effort to disrupt their financial support.
Agnes Chow, a well-known advocate, evaded her bail and left Hong Kong this month due to ongoing pressure from authorities which had negatively impacted her well-being. She stated that she was coerced into going to Shenzhen, China where she was accompanied by police to a display celebrating China’s successes, before being permitted to go to Canada for educational purposes.
Source: theguardian.com
