Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: April 2026

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in April 2026 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

April 2026 marked a further entrenchment of Hong Kong’s national security apparatus, extending its reach into asset forfeiture, professional licensing, and the systematic suppression of independent media and civil society.

In a landmark first under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the Hong Kong government applied to seize HK$127 million in assets across 62 bank accounts and 17 companies belonging to imprisoned Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai, establishing a financial-confiscation precedent that may be extended to other convicted defendants and overseas activists.

National security prosecutions continued to expand in scope and severity. Former lawmaker and urologist Dr Kwok Ka-ki became the first NSL-convicted defendant to be struck off a professional register, signalling that political conformity is now being enforced beyond the courtroom. Political commentator Wong Kwok-ngon faces an October trial over YouTube commentary on the Tai Po fire, with the court warning observers against any public shows of support. Independent bookseller Pong Yat-ming was convicted on ancillary charges weeks after his arrest for selling a biography of Jimmy Lai, and two further individuals were charged for social media posts encouraging election boycotts.

Press freedom deteriorated sharply. Independent journalists from InMedia reported being stalked and threatened, a French documentary filmmaker was deported and warned his work conflicted with the National Security Law, and RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index ranked Hong Kong 140th out of 180 countries globally.

Civil society faced continued erosion. Veteran democracy activist Koo Sze-yiu died aged 80 following repeated imprisonment for protest. A record 132,000 schoolchildren participated in National Security Education Day, while a student whistleblower faced a pro-Beijing intimidation campaign threatening university expulsion.

Internationally, the US State Department certified that Hong Kong no longer warrants special treatment under US law, citing systematic undermining of political autonomy and rule of law. In London, the trial of a Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office manager and former Border Force officer charged under the UK National Security Act for running a surveillance network against diaspora activists continued.

香港監察香港人權狀況簡報：2026年4月

香港人權狀況在《國家安全法》實施及《維護國家安全條例》（俗稱23條）通過後急速惡化，這份簡報記錄了2026年4月香港的事態發展。

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摘要

2026年4月，香港國安工具進一步鞏固，其影響力擴展至充公資產、吊銷專業資格，以及系統式打壓獨立傳媒和公民社會。

香港政府依據《維護國家安全條例》（俗稱23條）首次入稟充公在囚《蘋果日報》創辦人黎智英名下的62個銀行戶口和17間公司共1.27億港元的資產，為港府充公資產的首例。這先例一開，可能會延伸至其他被定罪人士和海外活動人士。

國安法例的起訴範圍和力度持續擴大。前立法會議員兼泌尿外科專科醫生郭家麒成為首名被從註冊醫生名冊永久除名的被《國家安全法》定罪人士，事件顯示政治順從行為如今已延伸至法庭之外。時事評論員王岸然因在YouTube發表關於大埔火災的評論而被檢控，案件將於10月開審，庭上法官警告旁聽人士不要揚聲表示支持。獨立書店負責人龐一鳴因出售黎智英傳記被捕數週後，因其他罪名被定罪。另再有兩人因在社交媒體上發表鼓勵他人杯葛選舉帖文而被起訴。

新聞自由急劇惡化。《獨立媒體》記者指被跟蹤和威脅，一名法國紀錄片導演被遣返出境並被警告其作品違反《國安法》。無國界記者組織公布2026年世界新聞自由指數，香港持續在180個國家和地區中排第140位。

公民社會持續受到侵蝕。資深民主活動人士古思堯逝世，終年80歲，他曾多次因參與示威活動被捕入獄。「全民國家安全教育日」有破紀錄的132,000名學生參加。同時，一名學生檢舉人被親中陣營威嚇要求開除大學學籍。

國際方面，美國國務院認證香港不再符合美國法律規定下的特殊待遇，理由是香港的政治自治和法治受到系統式破壞。在倫敦，一名香港經濟貿易辦事處職員和前邊境部隊人員因涉嫌監視海外香港活動人士而被控違反英國《國家安全法》，審訊持續進行。

Photo: Zee Chow from Pixabay