Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: May 2025
This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in May 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
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Hong Kong expands national security measures with new subsidiary legislation
Pro-democracy activists were released after over four years in prison
Independent media face tax audits amid press freedom concerns
Security police targets families of exiled activists
JUDICIARY WATCH: RECENT RULINGS AND LEGAL TRENDS
A man sentenced to one year for ‘seditious’ online posts
Activist Owen Chow lose appeals over prison letter convictions
Hong Kong independence activist appeals for reduced stance at top court
Social worker Jackie Chen appeals rioting conviction and sentence
Former New Zealand supreme court judge Sir William Young set to join Hong Kong's top court amid foreign judges' exodus
STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING
US President Trump to address Jimmy Lai’s case in upcoming China trade talks
Hong Kong government rejects US Senator’s sanctions proposal on judges and prosecutors
Ex-district councillor Katrina Chan reports being ‘silenced’ following arrest under Article 23
TRANSFORMING CIVIL SOCIETY & EDUCATION
Lingnan University students’ union faces institutional pressure from the university
Independent publishers barred from Hong Kong book fair
Carnival to be hosted at formal Tiananmen vigil site for third straight year
Hong Kong’s Catholic Church remains silent on Tiananmen mass
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PRESS
Hong Kong falls to 140th in Press Freedom Index, while state media labels the ranking a ‘political smear’
Media outlet Channel C halts operations amid financial and legal challenges
Documentary on journalist Ronson Chan withdrawn from overseas screenings due to ‘pressure’
STATE SECURITY & ECONOMY
CK Hutchison affirms legal compliance in $22.8 billion global ports sale
SHEIN moving IPO to Hong Kong
Colombia joins China’s Belt and Road initiative, signalling strategic shift in foreign policy
US sanctions Chinese, Hong Kong entities for supporting Iran’s missile program
China establishes international mediation body in Hong Kong