Briefing: Human rights developments in Hong Kong in July 2021
This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in July 2021 focusing on the rapid deterioration of human rights in the city following the introduction of the National Security Law in July 2020.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
POLITICAL PRISONERS: ARRESTS, CHARGES, & TRIALS
Throughout July 2021, Beijing has continued its crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, with:
- Tong Ying-kit sentenced to nine years in prison for “incitement to secession” and “committing acts of terror” under the National Security Law, making him the first person to be convicted under the draconian law.
- The Hong Kong Police arresting five speech therapists for publishing a series of allegedly “seditious” children’s books.
- The first sedition trial in Hong Kong beginning since the city’s handover in 1997.
- The Hong Kong Police arresting a man was for allegedly booing the Chinese national anthem while watching an Olympics award ceremony in a shopping mall.
- Anthony Wong, a popular singer and pro-democracy supporter, being arrested and charged with “engaging in corrupt conduct” for singing in a Legislative Council byelection campaign in 2018.
- A journalist being investigated by the Hong Kong Police for “endangering national security”.
- Pro-democracy activist, Grandma Wong, being sentenced to a month in prison for “common assault”.
DISQUALIFICATION & MASS RESIGNATIONS OF DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
• In the last month over 200 pro-democracy District Councillors have resigned ahead of an oath taking ceremony in August, where they will be expected to pledge allegiance to Beijing. This follows the announcement by the Hong Kong authorities that any District Councillor who does not take the oath will be disqualified and required to return their salary.
ACADEMIC FREEDOM ON LIFE SUPPORT
• Following criticism from China Daily, a Chinese-state owned media publication, the Hong Kong Government announced it would formally cut ties with the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, the largest teachers union in the city.
• In July 2021, the National Security Police raided the University of Hong Kong Student Union following a statement it released responding to the July 1 attack on a police officer.
• Students from three publicly funded Hong Kong universities were informed in July that they will have to learn about national security as a compulsory requirement. They include students at Baptist, Lingnan and Polytechnic universities.
CENSORSHIP OF THE INTERNET & CULTURE
• The Hong Kong Legislative Council made up entirely of pro-Beijing lawmakers began consideration of a controversial law which aims to force internet companies to deal with doxxing by making them liable with the possibility of financial penalties.
• Book sellers at Hong Kong’s annual book fair presented a notably smaller collection of politically sensitive books in the wake of the National Security Law.
BEIJING PREPARES TO EXTEND ANTI-SANCTION LAW TO HONG KONG
• On 29 July 2021, it was reported that the National People's Congress Standing Committee will add China’s new anti-sanction law to the annex of Hong Kong’s Basic Law at its next session starting on 17 August 2021.
• Risk advisory firms have raised concerns that applying the legislation to Hong Kong could impact financial institutions in the city that comply with U.S. sanctions, as China's law orders organisations and individuals not to cooperate with foreign sanctions, and it gives those harmed by the sanctions the right to sue for damages.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
• The US Government announced on 16 July 2021 the inclusion of seven Chinese officials under its Magnitsky sanctions regime for their participation in the ongoing crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
• In response, the Chinese Government announced counter-sanctions against the former US Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross; Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC); Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch's China director; Carolyn Bartholomew, chair of US-China Economic and Security Review Commission; and Adam King of the International Republican Institute.
• The U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, Homeland Security and the Treasury have issued advisory guidance to highlight growing risks for US companies operating in Hong Kong.
•The UK Government has announced that community groups supporting BNOs coming to the UK will be able to bid for a share of a £2.6 million BNO community fund, which is designed to help Hong Kongers to integrate into the UK.
• On 22 July 2021, a coalition consisting of prominent pro-democracy activists in exile and local Hong Kong groups in the USA published an open letter to the US Congress calling for lawmakers to pass lifeboat legislation as a matter of urgency.
• A cross-party group of twenty-two UK Members of Parliament sent a letter to the Chairman of HSBC to urge the British-based bank to unfreeze the accounts of the Hong Kong pro-democracy former legislator Ted Hui and his family.
• The European Parliament passed a joint-resolution on Hong Kong which calls on the EU Commission and EU Member States to take a series of concrete actions to respond to the crisis in Hong Kong, including: implementing travel bans and asset freezes on Hong Kong officials, the introduction of an EU lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers and the issuing of emergency travel documents for journalists, EU support for the creation of a UN Special Rapporteur or Envoy for Hong Kong, and the suspension of extradition treaties between EU Member States and the People’s Republic of China.
• The Lithuanian Foreign Office announced that it will fast-track visa applications from Hong Kongers if they apply at any embassy or consulate.
• Twenty-one countries signed a statement condemning the closure of Apple Daily and stating that the use of the National Security Law to suppress journalism undermines Hong Kong’s autonomy as guaranteed by the Sino-British Joint Declaration.