TED HUI CHI-FUNG: 2017 shows us that it is time for the international community to speak up for Hong Kong
The Honourable Ted Hui Chi-Fung is a Democratic Party politician in Hong Kong. He is the Legislative Councillor for Hong Kong Island and a member of the Central and Western District Council for Chung Wan
20 years ago, Hong Kong was promised a high degree of autonomy, democracy and rule of law. Under “one country, two systems” and the Basic Law, Hong Kong should be enjoying the separation of executive, legislative and judicial power. Halfway through the handover, we all can see how Beijing is backtracking on its promise.
The meddling of China with Hong Kong’s internal affairs has become increasingly frequent and more obvious over the past years. Whether extending a law in Hong Kong banning disrespect to China’s national anthem, trying to impose a co-location arrangement which allows mainland immigration officers to practice jurisdiction within Hong Kong territory, or putting pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law to jail: these actions alarmingly put Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedom of expression at risk.
The denial of entry of human rights campaigner Benedict Rogers is another sign of the
incipient erosion of rights in Hong Kong. Rogers lived in Hong Kong for several years and had
intended to conduct a private visit. It is bizarre for Hong Kong’s authorities to treat this visit as
one that poses a threat to the country, therefore their decision to refuse his entry came with no clear or valid explanation. I definitely wouldn't want to see a day when tourists and investors from different countries who have different views and ideals from China are barred from entering Hong Kong and deemed to be 'subversive'. This will greatly affect not only our freedom but could impact our economy as well.
The UK government’s concern and demand for an explanation on this issue was plainly understandable. I strongly believe it is the perfect time for the international community to look closely into Hong Kong’s current situation.
Human rights and freedom of speech are universal values. Freedom of expression is a fundamental international human right. We have to be reminded of Hong Kong’s obligation under the international law. Articles 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights state that:
‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers’, ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association’, ‘No one may be compelled to belong to an association’.
A few days before Mr. Rogers was barred from entering Hong Kong, I met him in London with
some members of the Parliament, think tanks, NGOs, media representatives and students in
UK. The meeting was an eye opener for both sides on how important exposing the real
situation of Hong Kong is - both morally and economically.
Hong Kong has been fighting for 20 years to finally experience the Real Promise. Now with the
help of international friends who value the true meaning of freedom and democracy, we will
keep on fighting.
End Note:
Benedict Rogers' case is not the only example of denial of entry into Hong Kong. Hong Kong Watch are concerned by recent reports of others who have been denied visas into Hong Kong. Cases include:
two Taiwanese academics who were denied visas into Hong Kong to attend an academic conference, a breach of academic freedom.
Chang Tieh-chih, a Taiwanese author and former editor of Hong Kong's City magazine, who was turned away at the Hong Kong International Airport on 6 December 2017.