Hong Kong Watch condemns continuing threats against Hong Kong activists

Today, the Hong Kong national security police detained the son and daughter of pro-democracy activist Elmer Yuen.

Derek and Mimi Yuen – the son and eldest daughter of wanted self-exiled activist Elmer Yuen – have been questioned by police. 

Elmer Yuen is accused of having encouraged foreign countries to impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials and judges, online from the US, and promoting Hong Kong’s self-determination.

On 11 July, the family members of ex-lawmaker Nathan Law were also taken away and questioned. On 20 July, in a similar move, police took away questioned family members of trade unionist Christopher Mung Siu-tat and ex-lawmaker Dennis Kwok Wing-hang, and searched their homes.

This is the latest escalation in the application of the Hong Kong National Security Law against opposition figures, in particular since the announcement of arrest warrants and bounties against the eight activists in exile. 

On 3 July, the Hong Kong national security police issued arrest warrants and bounties of HKD 1 million for information that can lead to the arrest of eight self-exiled activists.

The arrest warrants and bounties were issued for pro-democracy activists Nathan Law, Dennis Kwok, Ted Hui, Kevin Yam, Anna Kwok, Finn Lau, Elmer Yuen, and Christopher Mung. Three out of the eight pro-democracy activists currently reside in the UK, two reside in Australia, and three reside in the United States of America. 

This is the first time that arrest warrants and bounties have been issued in relation to overseas activity related to the National Security Law.

Hong Kong Watch condemned this and also published a joint statement from over 50 Hong Kong civil society organisations urging government action following the Hong Kong National Security arrest warrants and bounties. 

Hong Kong Watch called on the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to summon the Chinese Ambassador Zheng Zeguang to explain why they are targeting the families of Hongkongers who are under UK protection, including those who received refugee status meaning that the UK has already recognised the threat, and a démarche was issued. 

Furthermore, this application of the National Security Law is a clear escalation in violating the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which has been consistently and severely breached since 2020, and represents a threat to the international rules-based order. 

Hong Kong Watch calls on the international community, particularly the governments of countries where these eight activists reside, to reiterate that the Hong Kong National Security Law has no jurisdiction abroad, and that any application is illegal and will be responded to as such. Additionally, Hong Kong Watch calls for the protection of anyone who is threatened by the National Security Law abroad. 

Benedict Rogers, co-founder and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Watch said: “This is a drastic escalation since the arrest warrants and bounties against the eight activists and the threats against the families of Nathan, Christopher and Dennis, which were already outrageous and completely unacceptable. 

“The Hong Kong government is openly and increasingly threatening activists abroad, in an attempt to silence them and spread fear among the community. This situation is increasingly similar to that in Mainland China, and we are seeing Hong Kong plummet to this level in terms of human rights, particularly civil and political rights.

“We emphasise that the Hong Kong National Security Law has no jurisdiction abroad, and governments must protect the rights and freedoms of activists in exile. We must stand up to the Beijing government and stand alongside our courageous friends from Hong Kong.”