Geneva-Hong Kong-Paris,
August 30, 2019 - Hong Kong authorities must immediately and unconditionally
release four pro-democracy activists and cease all acts of harassment against
all human rights defenders in the Special Administrative Region (SAR), the
Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (an FIDH-OMCT
partnership) and Human Rights in China (HRIC) urged today.
“Unwilling to address
the legitimate grievances of large segments of Hong Kong’s society, the
authorities have now escalated the repression of dissent by arresting prominent
pro-democracy activists. These arrests are likely to exacerbate tensions and
show the Hong Kong government’s lack of sincerity in its calls for dialogue
with protesters”, said FIDH Vice-President Adilur Rahman Khan.
In the night of August
29, 2019, authorities arrested Mr. Andy
Chan, the leader of the banned pro-independence Hong Kong National Party,
at Hong Kong International Airport while he was trying to board a flight to
Japan. Police said Mr. Chan was arrested for allegedly rioting and assaulting a
police officer during a demonstration on July 13, 2019.
On the morning of
August 30, 2019, police arrested Mr. Joshua
Wong, pro-democracy activist and Secretary-General of the political party
Demosisto, while he was on his way to the South Horizons metro station. Mr.
Wong was taken into custody at the Wan Chai police headquarters and detained
for allegedly inciting, organising, and participating in a protest at Wan Chai
police headquarters on June 21, 2019. Mr. Wong had been released from prison on
June 17, 2019, after serving a two-month prison sentence in connection with his
participation in the 2014 pro-democracy Umbrella Movement.
Also on the morning of
August 30, 2019, authorities arrested Ms. Agnes
Chow, Demosisto member and pro-democracy activist, at her home in Tai Po.
Ms. Chow was arrested in connection with the above-mentioned protest at Wan
Chai police headquarters on June 21, 2019.
On the afternoon of
August 30, 2019, police arrested Ms. Althea
Suen, a former president of the University of Hong Kong’s student union,
after she turned herself in at the Wan Chai police headquarters, accompanied by
her lawyer. Police sought to arrest Ms. Suen at her home the previous night but
she was not at home at the time. Ms. Suen was arrested in relation to the
storming of the Legislative Council (LegCo) building during a demonstration on
July 1, 2019.
“We condemn the
seemingly coordinated arrest of four prominent pro-democracy figures, which is
a blatant attempt to silence and intimidate human rights defenders in Hong
Kong. Authorities must immediately release them and refrain from undertaking
similar acts against all individuals who conduct peaceful and legitimate human
rights activities”, said OMCT Secretary General Gerald Staberock.
“The targeted arrest of
key activists on the eve of a crucial demonstration planned for August 31
highlights what Carrie Lam means by rule of law - that is, use of the criminal
process as a weapon to intimidate, chill, and punish Hong Kong citizens
exercising their fundamental rights. The international community must condemn
this trend of politicised detentions and arrests in violation of the
international obligations of the Hong Kong government", said HRIC
Executive Director Sharon Hom.
Sustained, large-scale,
and predominantly peaceful protests
have been held in Hong Kong since 12 June 2019.
Demonstrators initially called for the withdrawal of a proposed
extradition bill that was inconsistent with international human rights
standards. After the excessive use of force by police
during the June 12 protest and the refusal by Hong Kong’s Chief Executive
Carrie Lam to formally withdraw the extradition bill, protesters have continued
to stage demonstration at various locations across the SAR. In addition to the
full withdrawal of the extradition bill, demonstrators have also called for: 1)
an amnesty for all arrested protesters; 2) the withdrawal of the charges of
“rioting” against protesters; 3) the launch of independent investigation into
all allegations of excessive use of force by police against protesters; and 4)
universal suffrage.
For more information, please contact:
· FIDH: +33 1 43 55 25 18
· OMCT: Iolanda Jaquemet +41 79 539 41 06 / Email: ij@omct.org; Delphine Reculeau: +41 22 809 49 39 / Email: dr@omct.org| Tweet |
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