Briefing: Human rights developments in Hong Kong in May 2022

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in May 2022 focusing on the rapid deterioration of human rights in the city following the introduction of the National Security Law.

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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 arrest of the trustees of the defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund.

  • Jailing of pro-democracy activist and former law scholar Benny Tai.

  • The 6.5 year prison sentence for Telegram group admin.

  • Former pro-democracy lawmaker Fernando Cheung leaving Hong Kong over freedom concerns.

THE STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW

  • Senior legal figures warn that judicial independence is under systematic attack

A FREE PRESS IN THE CROSS HAIRS

  • Hong Kong drops 68 places to 148th in the latest global press freedom rankings from Reporters Without Borders’, the biggest downfall of the year.

JOHN LEE’S ‘SELECTION’ AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE

  • John Lee, a career policeman and former Secretary for Security, wins an uncontested election to replace Carrie Lam as the next Chief Executive. He will be sworn in on 1 July.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

  • The Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong said it would attempt to extradite former pro-democracy lawmaker and activist-in-exile, Ted Hui, who is currently in Australia.

  • Cross-party group of 110 UK lawmakers call for an audit of Hong Kong and Chinese officials’ assets.

  • Unemployment rate in Hong Kong increases to 5.4% in the three months to April.

  • EU report documents a continued deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.

Briefing, NewsHarri ThomasHong Kong