Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: August 2023

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in August 2023 focusing on the rapid deterioration of human rights in the city following the introduction of the National Security Law.

Click here to read the full briefing.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

POLITICAL PRISONERS: ARRESTS, CHARGES, & TRIALS

In the last month, Beijing continued its crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, with the following developments:

  • National security police arrest 10 linked to the defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund

  • Police continue targeting family members of overseas activists

  • Trial of the Hong Kong 47 adjourned to November for closing arguments

  • National security trial of Jimmy Lai delayed again to December

  • Seven prominent activists, including Jimmy Lai, are cleared of some 2019 protest charges

THE STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING 

  • High Court allows Hong Kong government appeal to ban protest song “Glory to Hong Kong”

  • Russian companies are turning to Hong Kong for dispute arbitration services as sanctions over the Ukraine war restrict their access to western courts

RELENTLESS ASSAULT ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

  • Cantonese language group shuts down after targeting by national security police

  • Secretary for Security says artistic creations are often a ‘pretext’ to endanger national security

STATE SECURITY AND ECONOMY

  • Hong Kong’s private sector activity contracts in July for the first time this year

  • Credit Suisse plans to cut 80% of Hong Kong investment bank jobs

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

  • More than 180,000 Hong Kongers apply for the UK’s BNO visa as UK Government announces a priority service for applications

  • Canadian parliamentarians call on the Government to investigate visa waivers issued for 300 Hong Kong police officers accused of complicity in human rights violations

  • UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly MP visits China, the first UK Minister to visit Beijing for a bilateral diplomatic visit in five years

  • Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, HSBC’s head of public affairs, says sorry for calling UK weak on China

  • Middle-aged Hong Kongers who fled the territory to live in the UK risk being left without a pension unless visa rules are changed

Briefing, NewsGuest UserHR