12 September 2023 – Today, the Hong Kong authorities raided the homes and detained the parents-in-law and brother-in-law of Ted Hui, one of eight exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activists with a HK$1 million bounty for his arrest. The in-laws were asked whether they had contacted Ted Hui or provided him with financial support. No arrests were made.
This incident marks the sixth member of the ‘Hong Kong Eight’ facing personal harassment from the Chinese Communist Party following Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announcing bounties for the arrest of eight Hongkongers in the U.S., U.K. and Australia on the 3rd of July. Under the National Security Law in Hong Kong, Ted Hui’s so-called crimes include advocating for foreign governments to place sanctions on Hong Kong officials.
Following the announcement of the bounties, Ted Hui continued to engage in pro-democracy activities abroad. On the 18th of July, he joined the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation (CFHK Foundation) for a virtual discussion to reaffirm that those who care about Hong Kong are more dedicated than ever to holding John Lee and the Hong Kong and Chinese Communist Party authorities accountable. During the discussion, Mr Hui said, “Ironically, [the bounty] gives me a lot of public attention and fuel… to say to China with an attitude, ‘I don’t give a damn, you can’t harm me.’”
Ted Hui is a former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. He was the first Hong Kong politician to receive a travel exemption to relocate to Australia in March 2021 after completing a three-month stint in Europe and the United Kingdom to lobby for stronger international responses to the National Security Law.
The CFHK Foundation condemns the Hong Kong national security police questioning the family members of Ted Hui, Anna Kwok, Elmer Yuen, Dennis Kwok, Christopher Mung, Nathan Law and any Hong Kongers living abroad.
Mark Clifford, President of the CFHK Foundation, said:
"This latest harassment by the Hong Kong national security police demonstrates the Chinese Communist Party’s continuing policy of intimidation against Hongkongers at home and abroad. The Australian government should coordinate with the U.S. and U.K. governments to immediately and publicly respond to the targeting of the bounty families."
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