12 young Hong Kongers detained in mainland China deserve legal representation and should be returned to Hong Kong for trial

On 27th August 2020, Chinese authorities arrested 12 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists after intercepting a boat in the South China Sea heading towards Taiwan. 

The activists in question were fleeing Hong Kong and heading to Taiwan to claim political asylum following being charged under the National Security Law.

Rather than returning the individuals to stand trial in Hong Kong, the Chinese authorities have detained the activists in the mainland city of Shenzhen for over two weeks and have refused to allow them access to legal representation organised by their families.

The 12 young Hong Kongers detained in Shenzhen have been denied access to the legal representation of their choice, and labelled 'secessionist' by Beijing. 

The right to legal representation is a clear principle of international law, and Chinese law. We call on the Chinese government to ensure that there is due process in this case, and that every person in detention is treated humanely and with dignity. 

In addition, anyone who is charged under the National Security Law ought to face trial in Hong Kong, the jurisdiction where they are deemed to have committed the crime, not in the mainland. 

Finally, the decision of these young people to flee Hong Kong reflects the widespread fear about the implications of the National Security Law. The law flagrantly breaches fundamental human rights principles, and compromises the integrity of Hong Kong's rule of law. It ought to be immediately repealed or reformed so that it is in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.