Hong Kong Watch Celebrates International Women’s Day and Highlights Women’s Rights in Hong Kong

Today, on International Women’s Day, Hong Kong Watch joins in the global call to embrace equality and equity. In particular, we highlight the violations of women’s rights in Hong Kong and continue to campaign for the rights of women in Hong Kong.  

Human rights, which are indivisible and interdependent, are not fully attained until there are rights and freedoms for all, including women’s rights. 

In our research and monitoring of threats to Hong Kong’s basic freedoms, the rule of law and autonomy, we hold the fundamental value that every single person in Hong Kong is deserving of rights and freedoms, regardless of their gender. 

In particular, we express concern that the labour and women’s rights and gender equality march was cancelled at the last minute on 5 March 2023. The ambiguous explanation by the Hong Kong Police Force as to why the march was cancelled, and the organisers’ inability to publicly speak about this decision, point towards the real risks people in Hong Kong face when advocating for women’s rights. 

We are also deeply concerned that women represent 19.7% of all prisoners in Hong Kong – the highest percentage across the world today. We are concerned that women represent a large number of political prisoners and face unique gender-based threats from the police and prisons. 

On International Women’s Day, Hong Kong Watch also highlights the plight of women human rights defenders in Hong Kong. Under the current regime’s increasing oppression of all rights and freedoms, women’s rights are rapidly diminishing, and women human rights defenders face unique challenges that must not go unheard. 

We call attention to the cases of Tiffany Yuen, Clarisse Yeung, Claudia Mo, Helena Wong, Carol Ng, Gwyneth Ho, Prince Wong, and Winnie Yu who are currently among the 47 democrats on trial and on bail or in prison, accused of “conspiracy to commit subversion” under the National Security Law, for organising and participating in peaceful unofficial primary elections in 2020. 

We also highlight the case of Chow Hang-tung, who has been in custody since September 2021, accused of subversion under the National Security Law. This week, she was also convicted of failing to comply with a notice from national security police, and faces an additional six months behind bars in addition to a large fine. 

We welcome the upcoming United Nations review of Hong Kong’s compliance with its legal obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. We look forward to contributing to this review of women’s rights in Hong Kong and to the Committee's concluding analysis. 

Anouk Wear, Research and Policy Advisor at Hong Kong Watch comments that: 

“The violations of women’s rights in Hong Kong are a significant indicator that the rights and freedoms of all people in Hong Kong are being systematically violated. 

Specifically, the ambiguous and arbitrary application of the National Security Law is violating women’s rights, as is seen by the violations faced by women who are arrested, charged, and now on trial under the National Security Law. This is not the only impact of the National Security Law, and further shows that this unjust and draconian law is ruthlessly eroding all human rights in Hong Kong. 

Nevertheless, women do face unique challenges in these circumstances and I am inspired by the courage of women human rights defenders in Hong Kong who continue to stand up against this oppression, despite the odds against them. They are defending women’s rights and rights for all in Hong Kong. I am grateful for and encouraged by their bravery and resilience, which should never be forgotten.”