Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: March 2024

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in March 2024 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

  • Andy Li, who faced alleged torture, testifies against Jimmy Lai

  • Ma Chun-man becomes first Hong Konger to have Article 23 retroactively applied to his sentence

  • Civic Party of Hong Kong dissolves following enactment of Article 23

  • Hong Kong court upholds conviction over Tiananmen vigil organisers’ national security data request

  • Hong Kong Court of Appeal upholds 40-month sentence for Tam Tak-chi

  • ‘Grandpa Chan’ charged for displaying protest banners in Hong Kong park

THE STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING

  • United Nations Special Rapporteurs publish letter expressing concerns about the enactment of Article 23 

  • 89 international parliamentarians and public figures condemn the passage of Article 23 

  • 16 international experts express “profound and grave concerns” about looming threat to religious freedom and Sacrament of Penance in Hong Kong

STATE SECURITY AND ECONOMY

  • UK Government sanctions Chinese officials in wake of Chinese cyberattacks on UK Electoral Commission

  • University College London bans lecturer from China course to protect its “commercial interests”

  • Academics at Imperial College London collaborated with Chinese military-linked institutions

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

  • Hong Kong Watch launches new report on home fee status for BNO students in UK Parliament

  • Melissa Lantsman MP and Tom Kmiec MP call on Canadian Immigration Minister to ensure priority processing remains in place for Hong Kongers

  • EU Parliament and Council reach provisional agreement to ban products made with forced labour

Briefing, NewsMegan KhooHR