April 20, 2020
Joint Statement Condemning the Mass Arrest of
Prominent Hong Kong Democracy Activists
We, Hong Kong support groups around the world, strongly condemn the mass arrest in Hong Kong of fifteen prominent democracy activists and lawmakers on charges of organizing, publicizing and taking part in peaceful protests in 2019. This police action has further threatened the rule of law, liberty, and the autonomy of Hong Kong.
Thousands of Hongkongers fighting for freedom have been arrested for involvement in demonstrations since June 2019, many on rioting charges that could lead to an imprisonment of up to 10 years. The arrest of Martin Lee, known as the Father of Hong Kong Democracy, Jimmy Lai, the owner of Apple Daily, and thirteen other activists signals a ramped up crackdown on Hong Kong civil society. Cynically, the HKSAR administration has chosen to launch this attack on human rights while the rest of the world is preoccupied with the coronavirus pandemic. This act to silence dissent and instigate white terror appears to aim at disrupting pro-democracy forces in the lead-up to the September Legislative Council election. It is also clear that since the fourth plenum last year, Beijing has adopted an increasingly hardline approach towards Hong Kong, ramping up political interference and destroying its reputation as an open and free society.
While demonstrations in Hong Kong have tapered off as the city is struggling to contain the Coronavirus outbreak, these high-profile arrests, along with a renewed push for the enactment of the repressive national security legislation Article 23, aim to strangle freedom of expression in Hong Kong. This will only increase the resentment of the people of Hong Kong towards their puppet government and its controllers in Beijing.
We therefore call upon the international community to:
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strongly condemn the violation of human rights, liberty, rule of law and autonomy by
Chinese and HKSAR officials in arresting and charging of democracy activists in Hong Kong,
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demand for the immediate and unconditional dismissal of charges against all democracy activists, and
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apply the Magnitsky Law, Human Rights and Democracy Act, or other relevant national
legislation to sanction Chinese and HKSAR officials responsible for the violation of human rights, freedom of expression and assembly in Hong Kong.
Signatories:
Action Free Hong Kong Montreal
Adelaide Stand with Hong Kong
Australia Hong Kong Link
Canada-Hong Kong Link
Canberra Hong Kong Concern Group
Comité pour la Liberté Hong Kong
Democracy for Hong Kong (UK)
Halifax-Hong Kong Link
Hong Kong Committee in Norway
Hong Kong Dossier
Hongkongers' Group of the Republic of Korea
Hong Kong Forum, Los Angeles
Hong Kong Hamburgers – Stand with Hong Kong
Germany Stands with Hong Kong
Munich: Stand with Hong Kong
Netherlands for Hong Kong
North California Hong Kong Club
NSW Hongkongers
NY4HK
PL4HK (Poland)
Saskatchewan Stands with Hong Kong
SEAriousforHKG (Seattle)
Seattle Hong Kong Students Alliance
Stöd Hongkong (Sweden)
Støt Hong Kong (Denmark)
Taiwan Hong Kong Association
Toronto Association for Democracy in China
Torontonian Hongkongers Action Group
Vancouver Hong Kong Forum Society
Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement
Victoria Hongkongers Association (Australia)