STATEMENT:
First Hong Kong Conviction under Beijing-imposed National Security Law
July 27, 2021
First Hong Kong Conviction under Beijing-imposed National Security Law
July 27, 2021
China’s destruction of Hong Kong’s rule of law continued today with the conviction of Tong Ying-kit on “terrorism” and “secession” charges under the National Security Law (NSL) for riding his motorcycle into three policemen while carrying a banner with a slogan from the 2019 protests, “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times.”
Tong faces up to life in prison. The denial of bail and jury trial were sharp departures from established common law norms that have, until recently, been mainstays of Hong Kong’s rule of law.
CFHK President Ellen Bork said:
“This conviction takes Hong Kong further away from the legal norms for which it was justly revered and poses more challenges to the world’s democracies that have pledged to defend Hong Kong’s freedoms and hold China to its commitments in the Joint Declaration.
“The new National Security Law apparatus, with its unfettered powers, assigned judges and mainland security operatives, is just getting warmed up. Dozens of democracy activists face “subversion” trials simply for organizing an informal political primary to select candidates for official elections. The founder, Jimmy Lai, the editor-in-chief Ryan Law, and other senior editors and executives of Apple Daily, which was forced to close by the NSL in June, also face charges and have been denied bail and jury trial under the NSL. Lai is already serving two sentences for peaceful protests.
“Political prisoners should be a top priority in every interaction the U.S. and its allies have with Chinese officials. But more than that, there must be consequences for China’s violations of its promises to respect Hong Kong’s autonomy and civil liberties.”
About CFHK
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises regarding Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners – and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom, which also imperils Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
Ellen Bork
P: +1 (301) 718-4813
E: media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk
Tong faces up to life in prison. The denial of bail and jury trial were sharp departures from established common law norms that have, until recently, been mainstays of Hong Kong’s rule of law.
CFHK President Ellen Bork said:
“This conviction takes Hong Kong further away from the legal norms for which it was justly revered and poses more challenges to the world’s democracies that have pledged to defend Hong Kong’s freedoms and hold China to its commitments in the Joint Declaration.
“The new National Security Law apparatus, with its unfettered powers, assigned judges and mainland security operatives, is just getting warmed up. Dozens of democracy activists face “subversion” trials simply for organizing an informal political primary to select candidates for official elections. The founder, Jimmy Lai, the editor-in-chief Ryan Law, and other senior editors and executives of Apple Daily, which was forced to close by the NSL in June, also face charges and have been denied bail and jury trial under the NSL. Lai is already serving two sentences for peaceful protests.
“Political prisoners should be a top priority in every interaction the U.S. and its allies have with Chinese officials. But more than that, there must be consequences for China’s violations of its promises to respect Hong Kong’s autonomy and civil liberties.”
About CFHK
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises regarding Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners – and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom, which also imperils Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
Ellen Bork
P: +1 (301) 718-4813
E: media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk
