Briefing: Human rights developments in Hong Kong in October 2022

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in October 2022 focusing on the rapid deterioration of human rights in the city following the introduction of the National Security Law.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

POLITICAL PRISONERS: ARRESTS, CHARGES, & TRIALS

− Almost 3,000 people, including 517 minors, are prosecuted in relation to the 2019 protests.

− At least 18 individuals sentenced this month over the Anti-ELAB protests. More trials underway.

− Five speech therapists are released after completing their sentences.

− Nine student activists, including 5 teenagers, sentenced to prisons or training centres under the NSL.

− The 612 Humanitarian Fund case continues. The nature of the fund is debated in court.

− DJ Giggs was sentenced for sedition. The court ordered his 4.87 HKD million assets to be confiscated.

− Mild activism, such as supporting political prisoners, was put on trial.

− Stand News journalists plead not guilty as Hong Kong’s first sedition case against the media began.

− Trials continue against Hongkongers jailed in mainland after their attempted escape to Taiwan. One faces fresh explosives charges.

− Chow Hang-tung appeals conviction over inciting an illegal assembly on the 32nd anniversary of Tiananmen massacre.

− Jimmy Lai was convicted for fraud over the use of the headquarter building of the dissolved Apple Daily.

− Nine were arrested either by the National Security Department or for the 2019 protests.

STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING

− The Hong Kong government amended its Covid-19 law after losing a legal challenge over the government’s power to annul vaccination exemption certificates.

− CCP’s propagandist book read and discussed by Hong Kong justice and national security officials.

− Legislation of Basic Law Article 23 removed from 2022 legislature schedule.

− The Hong Kong government announced the terms of two non-permanent Court of Final Appeal judges extended. One of them is a UK Supreme Court judge.

− Hong Kong is downgraded in the latest Rule of Law Index.

A FREE PRESS IN THE CROSS HAIRS

− Hong Kong Police complained to Ming Pao over a ‘misleading’ cartoon.

− HK01 article on Beijing lone-wolf protest was censored six hours after its publication.

− The International Federation of Journalists published a new report on the CCP’s destruction of Hong Kong’s freedom of expression.

A GREAT PURGE UNDERWAY

− The University of Hong Kong has introduced a new registration system restricting access to politically sensitive books.

− New secondary school subject will focus on national security and the sense of belonging.

− After the Leisure and Cultural Services Department disqualified literature competition winners, national security conditions were found in public library’s school writing competitions.

− Students suspended for three days over allegedly disrespecting flag raising.

− Patriots tightened their grip on the governing bodies of the arts sector.

− PayPal HK terminated service to Hong Kong pro-democracy group.

− The website of an overseas pro-democratic NGO’s website is partially blocked in Hong Kong.

− US Congress releases new report on the purge of Hong Kong civil society.

STATE SECURITY AND ECONOMY

− Hong Kong Covid-19 measure shows a tendency to be normalised.

− Hong Kong economic statistics worsened. Big retail and hospitality chains filed for bankruptcy.

− Central government issued more government bonds in Hong Kong.

− Departments sought extra budget as the government remains in deficit.

− Virgin Atlantic pulled out from the city, casting shadow over Hong Kong’s attempt to reboot international events as October records.

− October records 22 machete incidents in the city as the police advertise new posts.

− Hong Kong is becoming a sanctioned entities’ financial haven.

OTHER DEVELOPMENT

− The US State Department warned Hong Kong on sanctions.

− The UN expressed alarming concerns over the latest sentencing of minors under the NSL.

− US Senate members and the State Department issued statements condemning the conviction of Jimmy Lai’s fraud case. Beijing and the HKSAR government hit back.

− A bipartisan bill is tabled in the US Senate to condemn the arrest and trial of Cardinal Emeritus Zen.

− The US First Amendment Museum launched an online exhibition on Apple Daily.

− The UK announced the amendment to the BN(O) Visa route covering second-generation BN(O) holders.

− The BBC will stop producing Cantonese Newsweek after airing the last episode on 5 November.

− UK lawmakers tabled urgent questions after Hong Kong protesters were beaten up by Chinese wolf-warrior diplomats.

− Veteran pro-democracy Hong Kong writer Li Yi passed away in Taiwan.

− Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in London and Berlin remain in action.