Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: April 2025

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in April 2025 focusing on the rapid deterioration of human rights in the city following the imposition of the National Security Law and the passage of Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

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Executive Summary

JUDICIARY WATCH: RECENT RULINGS AND LEGAL TRENDS

  • Hong Kong’s top court reinstates ex-lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting’s conviction for disclosing ICAC probe

  • A man sentenced to 10 months for graffiti with political slogans

  • Social worker Jackie Chen sentenced to nearly 4 years for rioting after retrial

  • Hong Kong judiciary reports completion of the majority of protest and national security cases

  • A Hong Konger sentenced to one year for alleged online sedition under Article 23

  • Hong Kong Court denies activist’s appeal for reduced sentence under National Security Law

  • LSD activists decline to present defence in street booth trial

STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING

  • Joe Chow appointed as Hong Kong’s new police commissioner following Raymond Siu’s retirement

  • National Security Police question parent of US-based activist Frances Hui

  • Four pro-democracy figures released after over four years in prison

  • A 22-year-old man arrested under Article 23 for allegedly publishing seditious online posts

  • Australian judge Robert French resigns from Hong Kong’s top court, citing diminished role of foreign judges

  • British MP Wera Hobhouse denied entry to Hong Kong

TRANSFORMING CIVIL SOCIETY & EDUCATION

  • Prison authorities produce short films on imprisoned protesters to promote national security awareness 

  • Government proposes national security amendments to Union Laws

  • Chinese-Australian artist Badiucao’s hidden political message removed from Hong Kong billboards

  • Democratic Party moves toward disbandment amid political pressure

  • Schools tasked with combating ‘soft resistance’ amid national security concerns

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PRESS

  • Hong Kong Press Club survey reveals widespread self-censorship and emigration considerations among journalists

DIASPORA & TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION

  • U.S. and China exchange sanctions over Hong Kong officials’ conduct of transnational repression

  • US lawmakers propose renaming street outside Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office to ‘Jimmy Lai Way’

  • US report highlights erosion of human rights in Hong Kong; city officials denounce allegations

  • Amnesty International reestablishes Hong Kong office abroad

OTHER NEWS