5 July 2023 – Today in the British Parliament, two of the three Hong Kongers who are based in the UK who have had bounties offered for their capture spoke at a briefing session hosted by Bob Seely MP, a member of the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
In a packed room, Finn Lau and Christopher Mung both spoke about how the arrest warrants and bounties have impacted their personal lives as well as the lives of their families and friends and the repercussions for other Hong Kongers who have settled in the UK.
On Monday, using the pretext of the National Security Law, Hong Kong authorities issued arrest warrants and HK$1 million bounties for eight prominent Hong Kong activists who now live in the UK, US and Australia.
Finn Lau, who has resided in Britain since 2019 and is a British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa holder, is wanted by the Hong Kong government for establishing a pro-democracy organisation overseas. In response to the bounty being offered for any information that could lead to his arrest, Finn Lau requested an immediate meeting with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and British Home Secretary Suella Braverman. He called for the British government to provide Hong Kongers with assurance that attempts to detain or kidnap them will be charged and tried under British law. Finn Lau also called for British judges who are still serving on the Hong Kong courts to be stripped of their titles in the House of Lords and barred from practising again in the UK.
Christopher Mung, who has lived in the UK since 2021 and is also a BNO visa holder, is being targeted by the Hong Kong authorities for advocating for Hong Kong’s democracy and freedom. “All I’ve done is criticise the Hong Kong government for suppressing people and attending United Nations hearings on human rights,” said Mr Mung. He shared how the Hong Kong government is trying to extend their efforts overseas to silence activists and cause a ripple effect of fear among the greater Hong Kong diaspora. Mr Mung concluded, “I do not think they will succeed. For the rest of my life, I will continue this struggle with the Hong Kong people.”
Mark Clifford, President of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation said, “The Chinese Communist Party have issued a fatwa against freedom-loving people – unionists, legislators and people in Britain who should be celebrated as pillars of society. Benedict Rogers, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Watch, urged the British government to provide the three Hong Kongers in the UK with security advice and direct contact with the police. He also raised the need for Britain to coordinate with Interpol and diplomatic missions around the world to block the pervasive influence of the Chinese Communist Party.
British Parliamentarian Bob Seely, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said:
"It was privilege to host Finn Lau and Christopher Mung. Their struggle for justice is not only for the people of Hong Kong but for universal values and the struggle against authoritarianism."
Mark Sabah, UK and EU Director of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, said:
“It is absolutely outrageous that Hong Kongers who seek safety in the UK have to continue looking over their shoulder in fear that someone may attempt to kidnap them for money. The British government must immediately take actionable steps to protect all Hong Kongers who seek refuge in the United Kingdom and ensure they can live peacefully.”