The arrest of Elizabeth Tang is a stark reminder that Beijing has little respect for those who advocate for labour, civic, and political rights

Today a prominent Hong Kong trade unionist, Elizabeth Tang, has been arrested under the National Security Law, with local media reporting that the national security police have accused her of “collusion with foreign forces”.

Chief Executive of the International Domestic Workers Federation and the former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, Elizabeth Tang has a long history of campaigning for labour, civic, and political rights in Hong Kong.

Pro-Beijing media in Hong Kong have previously published articles attacking Elizabeth and accusing her of receiving funding from foreign organisations as a board member of labour rights advocacy group Asia Monitor Resource Centre.

She was arrested outside Stanley Prison after visiting her husband, the trade unionist Lee Cheuk-Yan, who is remanded on “inciting subversion of state power” under the National Security Law in relation to his role in the Tiananmen vigil group.

Commenting on her arrest, Sam Goodman, the Director of Policy and Advocacy at Hong Kong Watch, said:

“The arrest of Elizabeth Tang coming a day after we celebrated International Women’s Day is a stark reminder that Beijing’s quislings in Hong Kong have little respect for those who advocate labour, civic, and political rights.

It is clear that the National Security Police with an overinflated budget and egged on by the pro-Beijing media in Hong Kong will continue its human rights crackdown and its cycle of arrests and fear.

We urge the UK Government and other likeminded governments to press for Elizabeth’s release, the Hong Kong SAR to respect trade union rights, and to listen to the United Nations and suspend this draconian and authoritarian law.”