Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: October 2023
This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in October 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
Verdict in Stand News editors postponed to November
Hong Kong man jailed for sedition over children’s books
Mainland activist incommunicado after removal from Hong Kong
Victim of police gunfire receives 47-month jail sentence for charges stemming from 2019 protest movement
Police arrest 20 individuals for seeking to withdraw their Mandatory Pension Fund contributions
China’s National Day brings surveillance and new arrests
THE STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING
Chief Executive John Lee uses annual policy address to stress national security; Article 23 of the Basic Law to be enacted in 2024
Hong Kong court rules in favour of equal housing rights for same-sex couples
MEDIA FREEDOM IN THE CROSS HAIRS
Hong Kong denies visa to scholar of Tiananmen Square massacre
Hong Kong police request the removal of ‘seditious’ Jimmy Lai documentary from YouTube
Chinese security forces urged imprisoned Hong Kong radio host to become pro-Beijing YouTuber
Chinese diplomats put pressure on media freedom event at the UNHRC
China re-elected to UN Human Rights Council
Detained ex-editor of Apple Daily issues public apology over Chinese espionage claims
STATE SECURITY AND ECONOMY
Democratic Party absent from local elections after ‘patriotic’ electoral reform
Hong Kong introduces economic policies to revive property market, boost birth rate
Beijing and Hong Kong agree to promote cross-border financing
Canadian banks blocking Hong Kongers’ access to an estimated C$1.5 billion in pension savings
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
New Georgetown report finds official response to 2019 protests ‘extraordinarily harsh’
Hong Kong civil society groups oppose HKSAR’s membership application to RCEP