Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: December 2023

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in December 2023 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

• Hong Kong Watch highlights Hong Kong’s political prisoners on 75th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Jimmy Lai’s national security trial begins in Hong Kong

• Hong Kong national security police issue arrest warrants and bounties against five exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activists

• Four individuals arrested for allegedly providing financial assistance to two wanted overseas activists

• Closing arguments in the trial of the 47 democrats come to a close

• Bail denied to Hong Kong lawyer Chow Hang-tung

• Marilyn Tang receives six-month jail sentence for removing potential evidence against sister and labour rights activist Elizabeth Tang

• Pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow flees to Canada

THE STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING

• Record-low voter turnout and six arrests during Hong Kong District Council elections

• Hong Kong Watch welcomes publication of UN documents in advance of Universal Periodic Review

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

• Hong Kong Watch hosts a question and answer session with British Parliamentarians from the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties 

• EU challenges China on Hong Kong at EU-China summit

• EU pressed to confront China over human rights violations in Hong Kong

• Hong Kong Watch attends China In The World Conference in Taiwan

• Hong Kong Watch joins statement urging China to respect rights of lawyers in China and Hong Kong