PRESS RELEASE: The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong condemns the tyrannical arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen and calls for expulsion of Hong Kong from international bodies.
Wednesday 11th May – Democracy advocate and religious leader Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun was arrested today by Hong Kong’s national security police for allegedly colluding with foreign forces, alongside prominent cultural studies scholar, Hui Po-keung, veteran barrister Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee and gay rights activist and pop singer Denise Ho Wan-see. Cardinal Joseph Zen was arrested along with the three other trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, a non-profit organisation set up to help Hong Kong democracy protestors pay their legal fees. Cardinal Joseph Zen was released after several hours in detention.
The arrest of Cardinal Zen, who is the former head of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong, marked an escalation of China’s assault on freedom of religion. Only last Sunday, we witnessed the “election” of John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, as chief executive with a laughable 99 percent of the vote. The crowning of Lee has swiftly paved the way for an even more ruthless crackdown in Hong Kong, one where no one is safe.
The arrest today is clear evidence that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is out to destroy any semblance of freedom of speech, belief, or expression in Hong Kong. Not only are the Hong Kong authorities attacking the Catholic Church, but also the right to counsel and a fair trial.
China’s solemn promises to grant Hong Kong a “high degree of autonomy” have been shredded. Hong Kong now has forfeited its right to be considered a unique member of the international community and should lose its special status in economic, trade, health, and sporting bodies, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is time to remove Hong Kong from these and other international bodies where it enjoys privileged membership.
CFHK President, Mark L Clifford, said:
“The arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen comes just days after Beijing appointed former police chief John Lee as the next Chief Executive. The arrest of four prominent pro-democracy activists sets a grim precedent for a new regime in Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong no longer has the “high degree of autonomy” that China promised at the time of the handover from Britain 25 years ago. Now is the time to strip Hong Kong of its standing as an autonomous member of groups including the APEC forum, the WHO, the WTO, and the IOC. Hong Kong should no longer be able to send its own team to the Olympics or other international sporting events. Hong Kong officials should no longer be able to strut on the world stage as representatives of a special territory.
“CFHK call on heads of government and religious leaders from around the world to condemn the arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen and to immediately strip Hong Kong of its membership in economic, trade, health, and sporting bodies.”
The arrest of Cardinal Zen, who is the former head of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong, marked an escalation of China’s assault on freedom of religion. Only last Sunday, we witnessed the “election” of John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, as chief executive with a laughable 99 percent of the vote. The crowning of Lee has swiftly paved the way for an even more ruthless crackdown in Hong Kong, one where no one is safe.
The arrest today is clear evidence that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is out to destroy any semblance of freedom of speech, belief, or expression in Hong Kong. Not only are the Hong Kong authorities attacking the Catholic Church, but also the right to counsel and a fair trial.
China’s solemn promises to grant Hong Kong a “high degree of autonomy” have been shredded. Hong Kong now has forfeited its right to be considered a unique member of the international community and should lose its special status in economic, trade, health, and sporting bodies, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is time to remove Hong Kong from these and other international bodies where it enjoys privileged membership.
CFHK President, Mark L Clifford, said:
“The arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen comes just days after Beijing appointed former police chief John Lee as the next Chief Executive. The arrest of four prominent pro-democracy activists sets a grim precedent for a new regime in Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong no longer has the “high degree of autonomy” that China promised at the time of the handover from Britain 25 years ago. Now is the time to strip Hong Kong of its standing as an autonomous member of groups including the APEC forum, the WHO, the WTO, and the IOC. Hong Kong should no longer be able to send its own team to the Olympics or other international sporting events. Hong Kong officials should no longer be able to strut on the world stage as representatives of a special territory.
“CFHK call on heads of government and religious leaders from around the world to condemn the arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen and to immediately strip Hong Kong of its membership in economic, trade, health, and sporting bodies.”
About CFHK
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong 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; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to 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.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong 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; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to 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.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk