Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: April 2024
This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in April 2024 focusing on the rapid deterioration of human rights in the city following the introduction of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Bill.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
POLITICAL PRISONERS: ARRESTS, CHARGES & TRIALS
Andy Li, who faced alleged torture, and Chan Tsz-Wah testify in the trial of Jimmy Lai
First European national convicted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law
Cardinal Zen and 4 other former 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund trustees to appeal conviction over 2019 relief fund
Hong Kong judge says Chow Hang-tung’s national security trial will not begin this year
Stand News sedition trial verdict postponed again to August
Hong Kong student jailed over alleged money laundering linked to 2019 protest fund
Young Hong Kong activists open up about abuse in Hong Kong prisons
THE STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING
Taipei-based human rights defender and Polish national deported from Hong Kong upon arrival
UK releases six-monthly report reviewing the state of the rule of law in Hong Kong
STATE SECURITY AND ECONOMY
6.1% of Hong Kong doctors left positions at public hospitals last year
European Parliament adopts urgency resolution on Hong Kong, passes law to ban forced labour products from EU market
Hong Kong Watch releases updated Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office briefing
US passes law mandating ByteDance to sell TikTok in US, EU requires TikTok to provide risk assessment
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
UK Indo-Pacific Minister visits China, Deputy Prime Minister gives speech on economic security
Hong Kong civil society organisations from across the EU urge Chancellor Scholz to raise concerns about Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong during Beijing visit
46 civil society organisations urge US Secretary Blinken to raise human rights concerns during China visit
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirms priority processing remains in place for Hong Kong Pathway applicants