NEWSLETTER: CFHK host its event "Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World" in the UK Parliament. Speakers include Tom Randall MP, Mark Clifford and Nathan Law.
Welcome to the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) weekly newsletter.
Every week, this newsletter will bring you the latest updates and developments concerning freedom in Hong Kong.
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Every week, this newsletter will bring you the latest updates and developments concerning freedom in Hong Kong.
To subscribe to our newsletter, click here.
Committee News
This week the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) held its event “Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World” in the UK Parliament. The event was sponsored by Tom Randall MP, Vice-chair of the Hong Kong All Party Parliamentary Group, and was attended by Hong Kong activists and supporters of Hong Kong. CFHK President Mark Clifford and renowned Hong Kong activist Nathan Law gave first-hand accounts of their encounters with the current crackdown on democracy and freedom in Hong Kong. Both Mark and Nathan discussed their recent books on Hong Kong and how their involvement led them to campaign and fight for democracy and freedom to be restored in the city.
During the CFHK’s visit to London, President Mark Clifford met with several journalists and parliamentarians, including Damian Green MP and Lord Collins of Highbury, to discuss the current situation both in Hong Kong and China. The meetings covered human rights and press freedoms in both nations, and how the UK can support both those who flee Hong Kong and those who remain.
The CFHK travelled to Dublin to meet with Irish government officials, journalists and parliamentarians, including Thomas Pringle TD and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, to discuss the Irish Government’s position on China, and how the Irish Government can do more in speaking out against human rights abuses.
Judicial System
Judges and judicial officers face an additional round of inspection, with performance evaluations and oversight being stepped up, reported The Standard. The change will allow heads of courts and judges from higher courts to discuss and evaluate the performances of judges and judicial officers of all ranks. Beijing’s judicial puppets are already used to impose the National Security Law and ensure those who speak out against the Chinese Communist Party are punished. The tightening of regulations will increase Beijing’s control over the Hong Kong judicial system.
Press
This week, on World Press Freedom Day, the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) joined millions around the world in reminding governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and the fight for its preservation. Hong Kong, now more than ever, needs the support of governments in salvaging its once-renowned free press.
Reporters Without Borders published the 20th World Press Freedom Index, which assesses the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories. Hong Kong was ranked 148th, falling 68 places on the Index since 2021, an all-time low. The sharp fall is due to the National Security Law being used by Beijing to arrest journalists and shut down independent media outlets, dismantling press freedom.
Sole Chief Executive “candidate” John Lee took part in a question-and-answer session jointly organised by seven state-owned media outlets; however, no members of the public were allowed to attend the session. Hong Kong Free Press reported that during the session, Lee stated that “Hong Kong already has press freedom,” which is ironic given the control of the press in attendance. Lee followed on by stating that Hong Kong has to be “careful that some people will use journalism as a jacket to do things that are illegal or with a political purpose.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has called China “the biggest threat to press freedom,” citing data compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists, reported the South China Morning Post. Blinken stated that Chinese government officials are “using the free and open media…to spread propaganda and to spread disinformation.” He went on to criticise the Chinese Communist Party for its use of technology to watch, harass and censor both journalists and the general public.
In Other News
The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department have become the second disciplined service to adopt Beijing’s goose-step march, reported The Standard, following the Fire Service Department’s move in January. Members of the customs service were trained in the march by the People’s Liberation Army and are now required to adopt the protocols of the Chinese-style foot drill for ceremonial events, passing-out parades, and other occasions while in uniform. The Hong Kong Correctional Services and the police department are to follow soon. On a related note, Hong Kong police are considering scrapping their 38 calibre revolvers for the QSZ-92 pistol used by the PLA and mainland police.
Hong Kong’s anti-graft watchdog, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), received a total of 2,264 corruption complaints in 2021, an 18% increase reported Hong Kong Free Press. The ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh said the rise in complaints mostly concerned the private sector. Government departments and public bodies received 645 and 137 complaints, respectively, in 2021.
This week the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) held its event “Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World” in the UK Parliament. The event was sponsored by Tom Randall MP, Vice-chair of the Hong Kong All Party Parliamentary Group, and was attended by Hong Kong activists and supporters of Hong Kong. CFHK President Mark Clifford and renowned Hong Kong activist Nathan Law gave first-hand accounts of their encounters with the current crackdown on democracy and freedom in Hong Kong. Both Mark and Nathan discussed their recent books on Hong Kong and how their involvement led them to campaign and fight for democracy and freedom to be restored in the city.
During the CFHK’s visit to London, President Mark Clifford met with several journalists and parliamentarians, including Damian Green MP and Lord Collins of Highbury, to discuss the current situation both in Hong Kong and China. The meetings covered human rights and press freedoms in both nations, and how the UK can support both those who flee Hong Kong and those who remain.
The CFHK travelled to Dublin to meet with Irish government officials, journalists and parliamentarians, including Thomas Pringle TD and Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, to discuss the Irish Government’s position on China, and how the Irish Government can do more in speaking out against human rights abuses.
Judicial System
Judges and judicial officers face an additional round of inspection, with performance evaluations and oversight being stepped up, reported The Standard. The change will allow heads of courts and judges from higher courts to discuss and evaluate the performances of judges and judicial officers of all ranks. Beijing’s judicial puppets are already used to impose the National Security Law and ensure those who speak out against the Chinese Communist Party are punished. The tightening of regulations will increase Beijing’s control over the Hong Kong judicial system.
Press
This week, on World Press Freedom Day, the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) joined millions around the world in reminding governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and the fight for its preservation. Hong Kong, now more than ever, needs the support of governments in salvaging its once-renowned free press.
Reporters Without Borders published the 20th World Press Freedom Index, which assesses the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories. Hong Kong was ranked 148th, falling 68 places on the Index since 2021, an all-time low. The sharp fall is due to the National Security Law being used by Beijing to arrest journalists and shut down independent media outlets, dismantling press freedom.
Sole Chief Executive “candidate” John Lee took part in a question-and-answer session jointly organised by seven state-owned media outlets; however, no members of the public were allowed to attend the session. Hong Kong Free Press reported that during the session, Lee stated that “Hong Kong already has press freedom,” which is ironic given the control of the press in attendance. Lee followed on by stating that Hong Kong has to be “careful that some people will use journalism as a jacket to do things that are illegal or with a political purpose.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has called China “the biggest threat to press freedom,” citing data compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists, reported the South China Morning Post. Blinken stated that Chinese government officials are “using the free and open media…to spread propaganda and to spread disinformation.” He went on to criticise the Chinese Communist Party for its use of technology to watch, harass and censor both journalists and the general public.
In Other News
The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department have become the second disciplined service to adopt Beijing’s goose-step march, reported The Standard, following the Fire Service Department’s move in January. Members of the customs service were trained in the march by the People’s Liberation Army and are now required to adopt the protocols of the Chinese-style foot drill for ceremonial events, passing-out parades, and other occasions while in uniform. The Hong Kong Correctional Services and the police department are to follow soon. On a related note, Hong Kong police are considering scrapping their 38 calibre revolvers for the QSZ-92 pistol used by the PLA and mainland police.
Hong Kong’s anti-graft watchdog, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), received a total of 2,264 corruption complaints in 2021, an 18% increase reported Hong Kong Free Press. The ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh said the rise in complaints mostly concerned the private sector. Government departments and public bodies received 645 and 137 complaints, respectively, in 2021.