NGO Human Rights Institute (HRW) denounced the “political intimidation campaign” of China after the authority of Hong Kong offering up to one million Hong Kong dollars (about 117,000 euros) for possible information “unfounded” detention. of eight activists accused of violating the National Security Act.

“The Hong Kong government is increasingly persecuting peaceful dissent both inside and outside Hong Kong. Offer cross-border gifts is a weak attempt to intimidate activists and elected representatives beyond Hong Kong defending people’s rights against Beijing’s increasing repression,” said the organization’s associate director for Asia, virtual money, that’s a statement.

HRW urged Hong Kong authorities to “immediately” drop the charges against the defendants former legislator Ted Hui, Dennis Kwok, and Nathan Law; activists Anna Kwok, Elmer Yuen and Finn Lau; Christopher Mung, union member; and Kevin Yam, attorney.

They have all been accused “collusion with foreign troops” and from “advocated sanctions against state officials”; Mung also faces charges “incite secession”, like Law. Meanwhile, Yuen is accused “subversion” and to organize the Hong Kong parliament in exile.

In Hui’s case, he found himself accused of both “incite secession” as “for subversion” by “2021 Hong Kong Charter initiative”supporting the continuation of activism from abroad.

While sedition is punishable by up to ten years in prison, charges of collusion and subversion can carry a life sentence.

HRW has shown that the Chinese authorities they eliminate the guarantee of Human Rights follow the implementation of the National Security Act in Hong Kong in 2020; In addition, the National Police determined that the law would apply beyond national boundaries.

According to the organization, the Chinese regime “has expanded its efforts to control information and intimidate activists around the world by manipulating agencies such as Interpol”.

Eight activists, living or seeking protection Australia, England And United States of Americathey face marginalization both from themselves and from the institutions they belong to, as the authorities have also warned residents to stop financing them.

Overseas Hong Kong pro-democracy organizations “They put more and more pressure on foreign governments to hold senior Chinese and Hong Kong officials accountable” for violating human rights.

“Foreign governments should not only openly refuse cooperation with National Security Law cases, they should taking concrete steps to hold top officials in Beijing and Hong Kong to accountasked Wang.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s chief executive response to the Chinese regime, John Lee, urged eight overseas activists to turn themselves in on Tuesday.

“The only way to end your fate as a wanted fugitive for life is to surrender,” Lee told reporters, saying that if he didn’t, “they would spend their days in fear.”

More than 100,000 Hong Kong residents have fled the country since the adoption of the National Security Act, which “erased Hong Kong’s spirit of liberty and freedom.”

the law above has led to “arbitrary arrests” of pro-democracy leaders, disbandment of “independent civil society organizations and unions”, closing of the “most popular” pro-democracy newspapers, censorship of films, introduction of “patriotic education” and withdrawal of books from libraries and schools.

HRW also lashed out that public gatherings have not been permitted since 2020 on “significant dates” for the city’s pro-democracy movement.

In addition, police data cited by the organization shows that “260 people, between the ages of 15 and 90, have been arrested for crimes against national security. Dozens have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted of ‘sedition’ for posting peaceful comments on social media or publishing books critical of the government.”

(With information from Europa Press and AFP)

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