Weekly Newsletter: The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong continues to call for the release of all prisoners of conscience in Hong Kong
January 14th
Welcome to the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) weekly newsletter.
Committee News
On Tuesday this week, CFHK President Mark Clifford and Chairman James Cunningham met with Shadow Minister for Asia and Pacific Catherine West MP. The meeting covered a wide variety of topics, from the evaluation of UK trade relationships with China to the upcoming Winter Olympics. Ms West was particularly interested to hear CFHK’s opinions on foreign judges remaining active in the Hong Kong circuits. It was a fruitful meeting and CFHK looks forward to working with the shadow minister in the future.
Prisoners of Conscience
This week CFHK placed an advertisement in the New York Times focusing on some of the women and girls who have been arrested and imprisoned in Hong Kong since the introduction of the National Security Law in mid-2020. Those arrested are students, journalists, singers, political candidates – in other words, regular citizens. One-third of arrests under the National Security Law are young people aged 15 to 28 and 20% of those arrested are women and girls. Hong Kong also has the highest percentage of women prisoners in the world. CFHK continues to call for the release of all prisoners of conscience in Hong Kong.
Welcome to the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) weekly newsletter.
- CFHK presses for political and economic consequences for China's failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong's freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners.
- It urges the business and political community to stand against China's assault on freedom, which also imperils Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre.
- Hong Kong's fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
Committee News
On Tuesday this week, CFHK President Mark Clifford and Chairman James Cunningham met with Shadow Minister for Asia and Pacific Catherine West MP. The meeting covered a wide variety of topics, from the evaluation of UK trade relationships with China to the upcoming Winter Olympics. Ms West was particularly interested to hear CFHK’s opinions on foreign judges remaining active in the Hong Kong circuits. It was a fruitful meeting and CFHK looks forward to working with the shadow minister in the future.
Prisoners of Conscience
This week CFHK placed an advertisement in the New York Times focusing on some of the women and girls who have been arrested and imprisoned in Hong Kong since the introduction of the National Security Law in mid-2020. Those arrested are students, journalists, singers, political candidates – in other words, regular citizens. One-third of arrests under the National Security Law are young people aged 15 to 28 and 20% of those arrested are women and girls. Hong Kong also has the highest percentage of women prisoners in the world. CFHK continues to call for the release of all prisoners of conscience in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced this week that further crimes are to be added to the existing National Security Law, reported the Bangkok Post. The National Security Law currently defines four crimes: secession, subversion, terrorism, and colluding with foreign forces – with those found guilty facing lengthy prison sentences. Lam has not yet provided an outline as to what the crimes will be, but the additions are guaranteed to further erode the freedoms of the Hong Kong people.
Over the weekend thousands of people gathered in Kingston upon Thames, London to protest the political oppression in Hong Kong. Protesters formed a 1,200-metre human chain through the town and chanted “Hong Kong is not China”, reported the South West Londoner. These human chains were replicated throughout the country in cities such as Edinburgh and Bristol. As well as showing solidarity, the protesters were attempting to draw the UK Government’s attention to the restrictions affecting freedom of expression and the ability to protest without fear of arrest in Hong Kong. Minister for Asia Amanda Milling has the perfect opportunity to take a strong stance during her current tour of Southeast Asia. Milling has already stated that Hong Kong’s authorities’ decision to target leading pro-democracy figures for prosecution is unacceptable – however, we are yet to see these comments translate into sanctions against those who are facilitating the arrests.
Hong Kong activist Owen Chow has had his bail revoked and was returned to prison yesterday. Officials claim he has breached his bail terms by publishing speech that could be seen as endangering national security, reported the Hong Kong Free Press. Chow is one of the 47 democrats charged last January under the National Security Law, 33 of whom are still being held without bail, without trial, and without conviction – in violation of the Basic Law’s presumption of innocence and an example of Beijing imposing its power to eliminate any opposition to the Chinese Communist Party. Freedom of expression is not a crime – the international community must coordinate joint action against China now.
Press
The Winter Olympics are due to kick off on the 4th of February in Beijing. Despite China’s notorious lack of tolerance for critical coverage, Beijing and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have both promised free reporting during the Games – as promised in the host city’s contract with the IOC. Steven Butler from the Committee to Protect Journalists writes that past experience doesn’t encourage optimism. During the 2008 Summer Olympics, there were tens of cases of interference in reporting, including police assaults on journalists. Given the widespread reporting of ongoing human rights abuses, China can expect criticism of its attempts to use the Olympics as propaganda. Attention must be focused on the IOC who are trying to wish issues of freedom and human rights away, much as they did during the Peng Shuai case.
Olympics
John Nicolson MP, SNP Spokesperson for the Department on Digital, Media, Culture, and Sport, has urged the BBC not to allow the Chinese Government to use the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics as a propaganda tool by ensuring it reports on the human rights abuses in the country in its coverage of the Games. Inside the Games reported that Nicolson wrote to Tim Davie, urging the BBC director-general to “not permit the Chinese state to sportswash these Olympics.” In the letter, Nicolson said that earlier comments by Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, were not good enough. Slater had said in a parliamentary appearance that other non-sports programming could cover the human rights issues. CFHK strongly believes the reporting of the ongoing human rights abuses at the hands of the Chinese state must be incorporated into the coverage of the Games.
In the lead-up to the Beijing Winter Olympics, Team GB athletes have been warned not to speak out about human rights issues while in China or they could risk a similar fate to that of tennis star Peng Shuai. The Daily Mail reported that pressure group Global Athlete has criticised the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for making participants “pawns in a geopolitical fight.” And they are not wrong, with the risks of surveillance and speaking up for what is right, athletes will have their freedoms suppressed. If further evidence of this was needed, the British Olympic Association will offer temporary phones to Team GB athletes and staff after fears they could be spied on by the Chinese government. Sadly, the disappearance of Peng Shuai is a cautionary tale, serving as a warning to all.
Now that a number of countries have announced diplomatic boycotts of the Beijing Winter Olympics, attention is turning to the sponsors. Household names such as Coca-Cola, Visa, Toyota, Airbnb, and Panasonic have collectively paid at least $1 billion to the IOC for the privilege of advertising at the Games, reported Japan Today. So far none of the sponsors have commented on China’s human rights abuses; instead, they have stated their sponsorship is of the Olympics and the spirit it encapsulates, not the host country. In failing to call China out, the sponsors are condoning the host country’s human rights abuses, making them complicit in China’s behaviour. Time is running short for sponsors to act. The world is watching.
In Other News
This week Hong Kong announced the appointment of a senior paramilitary police chief from Xinjiang to head the PLA’s Hong Kong garrison. The appointment has been watched with close attention given his background in Xinjiang and the acts of human rights abuses which are currently taking place in the region. Major General Peng Jingtang’s appointment indicates that the PLA’s role will extend to countering future riots in the city, reported the South China Morning Post. Should we expect to see Xinjiang-style paramilitary operations in Hong Kong?
The Daily Mail reported this week that King’s College London has once again refused to remove its prestigious college fellowship for Hong Kong’s Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng, despite a request from 20 academics at the university to the governing council. Cheng is behind the arrests of many journalists and pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong, including the recent raid on pro-democracy outlet Stand News. It will come as no surprise that the university is funded by millions in Chinese payments, as was reported by The Daily Mail. Cheng has been sanctioned for her participation in the arrests of innocent people by the US, but clearly, King’s College does not think this is significant. The refusal is a slap in the face to those who continue to fight for democracy in the city – particularly those who are now based in the UK.
Last year marked the closure of a Hong Kong museum commemorating victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre as well as the removal of the Pillar of Shame and the Goddess of Democracy statues, due to the far-reaching National Security Law. The statues commemorate those who lost their lives during the pro-democracy protests of 1989; Hong Kong was the last remaining place where the victims were still honoured. As a result, dozens of activists in the US intend to organise a special exhibit in Washington DC on the 4th of June this year, with the view to open a permanent museum once sufficient funds have been raised, reported Nikkei Asia this week. Acts like these are vitally important in ensuring that the memory of those who fought for democracy in 1989, and since, are not forgotten.
France has asked the EU this week to punch back quickly to stop China from bullying the whole bloc, as a result of the ongoing trade conflict with Lithuania. The ongoing trade conflict comes after a months-long Chinese pressure campaign aimed at punishing Lithuania for allowing the democratic island of Taiwan to open a representative office in its capital Vilnius. China has not only cracked down on Lithuanian imports but also on goods from other EU countries that include parts from Lithuanian supply chains, Politico reported. In retaliation, Taiwan announced this week a $200 million investment in Lithuania for the manufacturing of microchips as Taiwan tried to fend off Chinese diplomatic and trade pressure on the Baltic state as was reported by the BBC. The tiny Baltic nation – its population of 2.8 million people is about one-third that of Hong Kong’s – is becoming the latest battleground between a totalitarian China and pro-democracy states.
Over the weekend thousands of people gathered in Kingston upon Thames, London to protest the political oppression in Hong Kong. Protesters formed a 1,200-metre human chain through the town and chanted “Hong Kong is not China”, reported the South West Londoner. These human chains were replicated throughout the country in cities such as Edinburgh and Bristol. As well as showing solidarity, the protesters were attempting to draw the UK Government’s attention to the restrictions affecting freedom of expression and the ability to protest without fear of arrest in Hong Kong. Minister for Asia Amanda Milling has the perfect opportunity to take a strong stance during her current tour of Southeast Asia. Milling has already stated that Hong Kong’s authorities’ decision to target leading pro-democracy figures for prosecution is unacceptable – however, we are yet to see these comments translate into sanctions against those who are facilitating the arrests.
Hong Kong activist Owen Chow has had his bail revoked and was returned to prison yesterday. Officials claim he has breached his bail terms by publishing speech that could be seen as endangering national security, reported the Hong Kong Free Press. Chow is one of the 47 democrats charged last January under the National Security Law, 33 of whom are still being held without bail, without trial, and without conviction – in violation of the Basic Law’s presumption of innocence and an example of Beijing imposing its power to eliminate any opposition to the Chinese Communist Party. Freedom of expression is not a crime – the international community must coordinate joint action against China now.
Press
The Winter Olympics are due to kick off on the 4th of February in Beijing. Despite China’s notorious lack of tolerance for critical coverage, Beijing and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have both promised free reporting during the Games – as promised in the host city’s contract with the IOC. Steven Butler from the Committee to Protect Journalists writes that past experience doesn’t encourage optimism. During the 2008 Summer Olympics, there were tens of cases of interference in reporting, including police assaults on journalists. Given the widespread reporting of ongoing human rights abuses, China can expect criticism of its attempts to use the Olympics as propaganda. Attention must be focused on the IOC who are trying to wish issues of freedom and human rights away, much as they did during the Peng Shuai case.
Olympics
John Nicolson MP, SNP Spokesperson for the Department on Digital, Media, Culture, and Sport, has urged the BBC not to allow the Chinese Government to use the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics as a propaganda tool by ensuring it reports on the human rights abuses in the country in its coverage of the Games. Inside the Games reported that Nicolson wrote to Tim Davie, urging the BBC director-general to “not permit the Chinese state to sportswash these Olympics.” In the letter, Nicolson said that earlier comments by Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, were not good enough. Slater had said in a parliamentary appearance that other non-sports programming could cover the human rights issues. CFHK strongly believes the reporting of the ongoing human rights abuses at the hands of the Chinese state must be incorporated into the coverage of the Games.
In the lead-up to the Beijing Winter Olympics, Team GB athletes have been warned not to speak out about human rights issues while in China or they could risk a similar fate to that of tennis star Peng Shuai. The Daily Mail reported that pressure group Global Athlete has criticised the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for making participants “pawns in a geopolitical fight.” And they are not wrong, with the risks of surveillance and speaking up for what is right, athletes will have their freedoms suppressed. If further evidence of this was needed, the British Olympic Association will offer temporary phones to Team GB athletes and staff after fears they could be spied on by the Chinese government. Sadly, the disappearance of Peng Shuai is a cautionary tale, serving as a warning to all.
Now that a number of countries have announced diplomatic boycotts of the Beijing Winter Olympics, attention is turning to the sponsors. Household names such as Coca-Cola, Visa, Toyota, Airbnb, and Panasonic have collectively paid at least $1 billion to the IOC for the privilege of advertising at the Games, reported Japan Today. So far none of the sponsors have commented on China’s human rights abuses; instead, they have stated their sponsorship is of the Olympics and the spirit it encapsulates, not the host country. In failing to call China out, the sponsors are condoning the host country’s human rights abuses, making them complicit in China’s behaviour. Time is running short for sponsors to act. The world is watching.
In Other News
This week Hong Kong announced the appointment of a senior paramilitary police chief from Xinjiang to head the PLA’s Hong Kong garrison. The appointment has been watched with close attention given his background in Xinjiang and the acts of human rights abuses which are currently taking place in the region. Major General Peng Jingtang’s appointment indicates that the PLA’s role will extend to countering future riots in the city, reported the South China Morning Post. Should we expect to see Xinjiang-style paramilitary operations in Hong Kong?
The Daily Mail reported this week that King’s College London has once again refused to remove its prestigious college fellowship for Hong Kong’s Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng, despite a request from 20 academics at the university to the governing council. Cheng is behind the arrests of many journalists and pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong, including the recent raid on pro-democracy outlet Stand News. It will come as no surprise that the university is funded by millions in Chinese payments, as was reported by The Daily Mail. Cheng has been sanctioned for her participation in the arrests of innocent people by the US, but clearly, King’s College does not think this is significant. The refusal is a slap in the face to those who continue to fight for democracy in the city – particularly those who are now based in the UK.
Last year marked the closure of a Hong Kong museum commemorating victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre as well as the removal of the Pillar of Shame and the Goddess of Democracy statues, due to the far-reaching National Security Law. The statues commemorate those who lost their lives during the pro-democracy protests of 1989; Hong Kong was the last remaining place where the victims were still honoured. As a result, dozens of activists in the US intend to organise a special exhibit in Washington DC on the 4th of June this year, with the view to open a permanent museum once sufficient funds have been raised, reported Nikkei Asia this week. Acts like these are vitally important in ensuring that the memory of those who fought for democracy in 1989, and since, are not forgotten.
France has asked the EU this week to punch back quickly to stop China from bullying the whole bloc, as a result of the ongoing trade conflict with Lithuania. The ongoing trade conflict comes after a months-long Chinese pressure campaign aimed at punishing Lithuania for allowing the democratic island of Taiwan to open a representative office in its capital Vilnius. China has not only cracked down on Lithuanian imports but also on goods from other EU countries that include parts from Lithuanian supply chains, Politico reported. In retaliation, Taiwan announced this week a $200 million investment in Lithuania for the manufacturing of microchips as Taiwan tried to fend off Chinese diplomatic and trade pressure on the Baltic state as was reported by the BBC. The tiny Baltic nation – its population of 2.8 million people is about one-third that of Hong Kong’s – is becoming the latest battleground between a totalitarian China and pro-democracy states.