Hong Kong Watch Patron Lord Alton hosts discussion on Professor Michael C. Davis’ new book in Parliament

Last night, Hong Kong Watch’s Patron Lord Alton of Liverpool hosted a book launch in the House of Lords to discuss Professor Michael C. Davis’ new book Freedom Undone: The Assault on Liberal Values and Institutions in Hong Kong, with remarks from Hong Kong Watch’s co-founder and Chief Executive Benedict Rogers. The book explores how the Hong Kong National Security Law continues to undermine liberal values which are protected under international law in Hong Kong.

Professor Davis spoke about the grave dangers of the proposed Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong, which would further target all freedoms. He spoke about the case of Jimmy Lai and the closure of his pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, as well as the fact that 60 civil society organisations have disbanded in Hong Kong.

Mr Rogers called attention to the fact that he has been named by the prosecution in Jimmy Lai’s case as an alleged “collaborator” with Mr Lai, simply for exchanging WhatsApp messages with him regarding Lord Patten of Barnes providing a quote for an Apple Daily journalist.

Lord Alton called attention to the alarming erosion of the rule of law in Hong Kong, previously one of the great Asian cities, which has now reduced in status because of the imposition of authoritarianism. He quoted Sebastien Lai, the son of Jimmy Lai, who said “free speech is not saying what they want you to say.”

Hong Kong Watch was pleased to join the discussion on Professor Davis’ book, which is important in tracing the deterioration of basic civil and political rights in Hong Kong. We will continue to monitor developments in Hong Kong, particularly in regards to the proposed Article 23 legislation which would severely undermine fundamental freedoms.

戴大為教授新書研討會順利舉行 關注香港基本公民及政治權利惡化

昨晚，香港監察贊助人奧爾頓勳爵（Lord Alton of Liverpool）在英國上議院主持戴大為教授（Professor Michael C. Davis）的新書《Freedom Undone: The Assault on Liberal Values and Institutions in Hong Kong》研討會，香港監察共同創辦人兼行政總監羅傑斯（Benedict Rogers）亦有在會上發言。戴大為教授的著作探討《國家安全法》如何持續破壞香港受國際法保護的自由價值。

戴大為教授談到香港政府擬就《基本法》第23條立法的禍患，指23條會進一步向所有自由開刀。他談到黎智英的案件及其民主派報紙《蘋果日報》停運一事，以及香港有60個民間組織解散的情況。

羅傑斯指出，他在黎智英案中被控方列為所謂「合作者」，純粹因為他與黎就聯絡彭定康勳爵作評論，互相傳送WhatsApp訊息。

奧爾頓勳爵呼籲關注香港法治所受到的驚人破壞，指香港曾位居亞洲大城市，如今卻因威權當道而地位下滑。他引述黎智英兒子黎崇恩的話：「言論自由不是說他們想你說的話。」

香港監察很高興參與戴大為教授的新書研討會，其著作描繪香港基本公民及政治權利的惡化進程，具重要意義。我們會持續關注香港事態發展，尤其是會嚴重損害基本自由的23條立法。