Briefing: Human rights developments in Hong Kong in April 2021

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in April 2021 focusing on the rapid deterioration of human rights in the city following the introduction of the National Security Law in July.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

POLITICAL PRISONERS: ARRESTS, CHARGES, & TRIALS

  •  Throughout April 2021, Beijing has continued its crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, with the sentencing of nine prominent pro-democracy leaders, the sentencing of Joshua Wong to four months for breaking the anti-mask law, the introduction of an additional National Security charge for Jimmy Lai, the denial of bail for two pro-democracy activists accused of ‘subversion’, and the charging of four pro-democracy activists for attending the June 4 vigil to mark the Tiananmen Square massacre.

 MOVES TO CENSOR THE FREE PRESS & INTERNET

  •  In the last month, the Hong Kong Government and Beijing have moved to censor the free press in Hong Kong, with the Hong Kong Police Chief floating the possibility of a law to target so called “fake news”, the prosecution of investigative reporter Bao Choy, the Hong Kong Police censoring a website belonging to a church in Taiwan, and public broadcaster RTHK purging its online platforms of any shows over a year old.

A NEW IMMIGRATION BILL

  •  On 28 April 2021, the Hong Kong Legislature passed an immigration bill which could restrict freedom of movement in and out of Hong Kong in direct violation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law. 

  • Under the new immigration bill which is set to come into force in August 2021, Hong Kong authorities will have the ability to bar anyone from entering or leaving the city without a court order.

THE STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW

  •   In April 2021, the Hong Kong Government continued its attempts to undermine the rule of law, launching an unprecedented attack on the Hong Kong Bar Association and firing 129 civil servants who refused to sign an oath of allegiance to Hong Kong and Beijing.

  • Former and current judges also raised concerns publicly about bail proceedings under the National Security Law.

  • Hong Kong’s Correctional Services Department also complained of overcrowding at two of its detention centres. The number of people remanded in custody hit a decade high due to the spike in arrests as part of Beijing’s crackdown on the pro-democracy movement. 

 ACADEMIC FREEDOM ON LIFE SUPPORT

  •   In the last month, Beijing has extended National Security Education to secondary schools and Hong Kong University has announced that it is formally cutting ties with its student union.

RESPONSES TO THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG

  •  A report by Bloomberg Intelligence suggests that the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong will lead to the number of empty houses in the city hitting an 18-year high as Hong Kongers seek to leave the city. 

  • Wells Fargo, America’s fourth-largest bank by assets, has announced that it is moving its operations out of Hong Kong to Singapore. 

  •   Apple Daily reported that Hong Kongers have been unable to use BNO passports as identity documents for working holiday visas and student visa applications in Germany, reinforcing the need for European countries to adopt guidelines for recognising BNO passports.

  •   Over 100 UK parliamentarians have called for the UK Government to impose Magnitsky sanctions on Hong Kong officials.

  • The UK Government unveiled a £43 million integration fund to help BNOs and their families settle in the UK.

  • ·A cross-party group of European Parliamentarians have written to the ten EU Member States that still have active extradition treaties with the People’s Republic of China asking for them to urgently review and suspend the treaties.

 

Briefing, Reports, NewsSam GoodmanHong Kong, Rule of Law