Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: April 2023

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in April 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

  • Stand News Testimony Ends

  • Trial of 47 Democrats Continues

  • Joshua Wong Sentenced for Doxxing

  • Two Arrested for Shooting Water Guns

  • Woman Jailed for Four Months Over Facebook Posts

STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING

  • UN’s Special Rapporteur Raises Concerns Over NSL

  • District Council Elections to be ‘Patriot Only’

  • District Council Elected Seats to be Reduced

MEDIA FREEDOM IN THE CROSS HAIRS

  • APPG Publishes New Report, Hong Kong Condemns It

  • Hong Kong Free Press Journalist Followed

  • Student Arrested Over Facebook Posts

  • Over 80% of Journalists Who Left Hong Kong Do Not Regret Decision

  • Hong Kong Libraries Remove Books

  • Media Outlets Barred from Covering National Security Event

A GREAT PURGE UNDERWAY

  • Hong Kong Labour Force Reduces by 2.4%

  • Schools Face Closure as Number of Students Drops

  • Hong Kong Authorises First Protest Since 2020

  • John Lee States that Hong Kong Rally Requests Should be Carefully Vetted

  • 95% of Top Talent Pass Scheme Approvals from Mainland China

  • Hong Kong’s Public Universities to Recruit BRI Students

STATE SECURITY AND ECONOMY

  • UK Foreign Secretary Outlines New China Position

  • China Mobile Explores Acquiring Hong Kong Telecom Firm

  • LVMH Moves from Hong Kong to Shanghai

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

  • “Happy Hong Kong” Campaign Launched

  • Free Flights’ Website in Simplified Chinese

  • Han Zheng to Attend King Charles’ Coronation

  • New Settlement Route for Hong Kong Veterans

  • Twitter Removes Labels for News Outlet Accounts

Briefing, NewsFrances BellHR