An Open Letter to Detainees and Protestors in Hong Kong from our Co-founder & Chair Benedict Rogers (updated with Chinese translated version)

Hong Kong Watch’s Chair and co-founder Benedict Rogers has written an open letter today to the detainees and protestors in Hong Kong. Read the full letter and the translated version in Chinese below:

Dear Hong Kong Protesters,

In a week’s time we will celebrate Christmas. It is a time of peace, joy and love, and a time when families get together.

Yet for those of you who have been arrested and are in prison or detention, this is a time of sadness, pain and perhaps in some cases separation from families. 

So I am writing this brief open letter to offer my solidarity, my concern and my prayers for you. I too am a Hong Konger. I am a Hong Konger for two reasons. Firstly, Hong Kong was my home for five years, the first five years after the handover, from 1997-2002. Secondly, I am a Hong Konger in spirit, because I share your struggle for freedom.

You have shown extraordinary courage and dedication over the past six months. You have been fighting to defend the most precious gift any human being can have – freedom – and protect the basic rights and dignity of your people. You have been struggling for the very soul of Hong Kong, and for its future. You deserve great respect and admiration.

I cannot condone acts of violence or vandalism. Indeed, I believe such acts are dangerous and counter-productive. However, I also believe that the world needs to try to understand why some protesters have engaged in violence. I know that it was in response to appalling police brutality – that it was the police who started the violence – and I know that it was an act of desperation and deep frustration after feeling that the government refused to listen. I understand that. I still believe, however, that the movement is at its best when it holds the moral high ground and protests peacefully. And Hong Kongers have shown, through the many peaceful protests and by voting in the district council elections, that when given the chance to express yourselves peacefully you do so.

As you endure detention, trial and imprisonment, and as you contemplate your future, please know that you have my continuing support for the cause for which you have sacrificed so much – the cause of freedom, democracy, human rights. Hong Kong is the new frontline of freedom and you are holding that frontline for the rest of us. I will continue to speak out and advocate for Hong Kong’s freedoms for as long as necessary. 

This Christmas, despite the sorrow, pain and trauma you may be enduring, please know that 6,000 miles away in Britain there is someone praying for you and thinking of you. 

In solidarity,

Benedict Rogers
Co-founder and Chair of Hong Kong Watch
Wednesday 18 December 2019

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倫敦人權組織「香港監察」創辦人及主席羅哲斯（Benedict Rogers）致全港抗爭者與被捕者的公開信

親愛的香港抗爭者﹕

還有一個星期，聖誕就要來了。這是一個本應充滿喜樂、愛與和平的節日，也是一個與家人相聚的日子。

不過，對於很多被捕、被囚或被拘留的你們來說，這個聖誕卻會是一個哀傷、痛苦和甚至要與家人分離的日子。 故此，我希望透過這封簡短的公開信，向你們送上我的支持、關注及禱告。

我也是個香港人。我是個香港人因為香港曾是我的家，當時剛好是在回歸後的頭五年。我在精神上也是個香港人，因為我和你們一樣為爭取自由而掙扎。

在過去六個月裡，你們展現了無比的勇氣和奉獻精神。你們誓死捍衛人類最寶貴的禮物 — 自由，以及捍衛港人的基本權利和尊嚴。你們在為香港的靈魂和未來而戰，你們是值得被尊重及敬佩的。

但我不能認同暴力或故意破壞的行為，事實上，我認為該些行為是危險的，而且會適得其反。然而，我亦認為國際社會需要賞試了解部分抗爭者參予暴力行為背後的原因。我知道這是出於對香港警察駭人的暴力行為的回應，因為是警方先開始對抗爭者使用暴力。我亦明白是因為政府拒聽民意，在你們感到無路可走和極為沮喪下才出現的行為 — 我明白的。不過我仍相信，堅守道德高地及和平示威是表達整場運動最理想的方式。再者，香港人透過多次和平示威及上月區議會選舉中明確展示出，只要有機會時，香港人都願意以和平的方式來表達訴求。

當你們在承受被扣留、審訊和囚禁的日子時，或是當你們在思索未來時，請記得，你們將一直有我的支持，因為你們為着自由、民主和人權的奮鬥已經犧牲得太多。香港現站在捍衛自由的新前線，而你們為我們其他爭取自由的人守護着這條前線。因此不論花多少時間，我會繼續為香港的自由發聲及倡議。

儘管你們在這個聖誕節承受著悲傷、痛苦和創傷，但我願你們能知道，在六千多英里外的英國，有人正在想著你們及為你們禱告。

齊心一致

羅哲斯 (Benedict Rogers)上
「香港監察」創辦人及主席
2019年12月18日 星期三