Greta Thunberg Has a Message for Jailed Hong Kong Activist Joshua Wong

The Swedish climate campaigner #GretaThunberg has written imprisoned Hong Kong activist #JoshuaWong a letter, in an effort to draw attention to the detention of the protest leader in Hong Kong.

"You are a big hero, we are with you always,” Thunberg's letter reads. “Stay strong and never give up. You are never alone. I really hope that we will be able to meet one day.”

#Save47 #PrisonerRights #PoliceState #HKProtest

Sources: Stand News, #Dec2; Vice, #Nov30 https://thestandnews.page.link/RQ6mMpQ6b1BechAz7

#LegCoElection
Five Overseas Hongkongers including #NathanLaw wanted by HK Authorities Over #BlankVotes and #NoVote 'Incitement'

In Hong Kong, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (#ICAC) issued a warrant on December 18, 2021 to arrest five exiled activists, including Nathan Law Kwun-chung, for inciting voters to cast blank or invalid ballots in the Legislative Council election on December 19, 2021.

Apart from former lawmaker Law, four others, including Sunny Cheung Kwan-yang; and former district councilors Timothy Lee Hin-long, Lee Ka-wai, and Carmen Lau Ka-man are also wanted persons.  

Source: Stand News, #Dec18

https://bit.ly/3GUhh6t

#Regime #FakeElection #PoliceState #CCPStyle #FailedState

#PoliceState #LegCoElection
HK Police Intimidates Reporter and Warns of "Loitering" Charges in Polling Station

On December 19, 2021, the Legislative Council Election took place in Hong Kong, after being postponed by the authorities for over a year.

In the Tin Sui polling station in Tin Shui Wai, very few voters turned up, unlike the long queue and the crowd during the Pro-democracy Primary Election in the summer of 2020.

Back then, the average waiting time of the polling station is one hour where the queue always consists of several hundreds of citizens.

In the 2021 LegCo Election, there were at least 4 uniform police patrolling the area. An InMedia reporter was confronted by the patrolling officers outside and the police inside the polling station.

Not that the police recorded the personal details of the reporter, an officer accused the reporter of being a "fake reporter." "Never heard of InMedia. Who is your boss?" the police said.

The police ordered the reporter to show the photos that were taken. The police also claimed that they have already arrested some people who took photos in other polling station for "loitering".

In another polling station in Wanchai, the police forbade a InMedia reporter from conducting interview in the unrestricted area outside the polling station. The police claimed that "only iCable and another outlet" can cover the election news.

Source: InMedia #Dec19
https://bit.ly/321XJyx

https://bit.ly/3EbtYZ5

#PressFreedom #InMedia

#StandNews Thanks Hongkongers for Their Support Despite Political Oppression

On December 29, 2021, Stand News has announced ceasing their operations and laying off all staff immediately after the police arrested a number of current and former management staff and freezing their assets.

The 7 arrested are the former and acting editors-in-chief of Stand News, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, four former board members – singer Denise Ho, barrister Margaret Ng, Christine Fang and Chow Tat-chi – and former Apple Daily executive Chan Pui-man, a former contributor.

Deputy assignment editor Ronson Chan briefly spoke to reporters as was leaving the Stand News office around 5pm. With tears in his eyes, he called it a "sad day", and thanked readers for their support.

Read more:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/31751

Source: Citizen News #Dec29

#Media #PoliticalOppression #PressFreedom #Regime #Arrest #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution

Pro-democracy Hong Kong Singer #DeniseHo Arrested by National Secutity Police: I feel Alright

On December 29, 2021, the National Security Police in Hong Kong arrested singer #DeniseHo and 5 other current and former #StandNews senior personnel.

The authorities accused them of "conspiring to publish seditious publications."

Through the administrator of her facrbook page, after the arrest Denise Ho told Hongkongers, "I feel alright. To those who care about me, please don’t be worried."

Source: Yseedsmedia #Dec29

#HOCC #Media #PoliceState #Regime #Arrest

====
Related News:

Stand News: Operation ceased; social media accounts will be removed
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/31757

Hong Kong National Security raid pro-democracy newspaper, arrested 6 senior staff
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/31751

Hong Kong Authorities' #Crackdown on #StandNews
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/31752

#StandNews Thanks Hongkongers for Their Support Despite Political Oppression
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/31765

#Solidarity
Hongkongers Express Gratitude to #StandNews

[Editor's notes: The following open letter to Stand News was published by Liber Research, an independent research organization in Hong Kong with a focus on local studies. Liber Research expressed gratitude to Stand News in the past years for defending the freedom of the press and information in Hong Kong.

Stand News was forced to shut down on December 29, 2021 after the Hong Kong authorities arrested 7 current and former senior staff of the news outlet on the same day.]

"Thank you so much, Stand News, for reporting local news and publishing our studies over the years.

The articles, videos, news reports, webcasts, commentaries, investigative reports, and interviews of Stand News enabled our research to be covered every few days.

With the support of Stand News, our work has become all rounded.

Stand News never neglects the burning issues in Hong Kong society. Professional investigations, in-depth interviews, local sensitivity, topical issues, and reflective discussions had defintely made Stand News a legend despite difficult times.

The sudden closure of Stand News will make civic organisations lose their key dissemination platform, impacting on how social reality could be reflected in the long run.

Following the deterioration of the media freedom in Hong Kong this year, Hongkongers can see the changes of information dissemination.

It is quite certain that the closure of Stand News will further restrict information flow with regard to public issues, especially for critical studies. Room for publication with depth and breadth is diminishing.

Regardless, let us wish best of luck to all Stand News journalists. Let us treasure what's left and keep each other in company until the very end.

'As long as local opinions persist, no one can cover the sun with one finger.'"

Source: Liber Research #Dec29

#PressFreedom #Research #Regime #PoliceState

#Black: Hongkongers' Favourite Color in 2021

The year 2021 is a year of censorship, and silencing in Hong Kong. If one can longer use language to express, what color will one use to describe the impression of 2021?

As of 5pm on December 25, 2021, the poll held by Stand News received 25,205 responses. 54.6% of the respondents (13,788) chose the color Black.

Source: Stand News #Dec25
https://2021color.thestandnews.com

#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #Arrest

#Save47 #PoliceState
Pro-democracy activist arrested for violating bail conditions

On March 7, the Hong Kong police National Security Unit arrested Winnie Yu Wai-ming on suspicion of violating bail conditions, when she made comments online.

Yu, a nurse, is the founder and former chairwoman of the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance — a union for healthcare workers known for its pro-democracy stance.

She is one of the 47 activists charged with conspiracy to subvert state power for partaking a primary legislative council election in 2020.

Yu was among the few who secured bail in July 2021 on stringent conditions that she refrains from all acts and speeches that could endanger national security, as well as from contacting foreign government officials and legislators.

Source: inmediahk; #Mar7
https://bit.ly/3HQqeOu

===
Related article
After One Year of Detention, Prosecution Documents Are Still Not Ready
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/31544
.

#PoliceState #PressFreedom
IG's attempt to remove a video showing youngsters being subdued by Hong Kong police triggers concern over press freedom

In Hong Kong, a 15-year-old boy was reportedly pinned to the ground by three plainclothes officers at a basketball court in Wong Tai Sin, according a video shared by online media Channel C HK.

The footage – shot by an eyewitness – appeared to show three men holding down a teenager whose mask came off as they struggled. The boy can be heard saying: “You pushed first.”

This 6-min footage, uploaded on Instagram, received over 300,000 views.

Although the footage has included comments from Hong Kong police, the video was lifted by IG for 10 hours, citing "assisting to hurt people" as reason.

Hours later, the video was released again, although IG failed to provide any reason.

The online media outlet expressed frustration and disappointment as IG has never explained their actions.

Source: Channel C; #Mar10
https://youtu.be/I81DlV6_K7M

#Solidarity #Conscience
Hongkongers flock to support pro-democracy bubble tea shop despite #NationalSecurityPolice Presence

In Hong Kong, two staff members of #RoyalTea, a bubble tea shop in Mong Kok that is known for its pro-democracy stance, were taken away by the police on April 11, 2022 to "assist with an investigation".

When the shop reopened on April 14, 2022, about 10 customers patronized it in the first 15 minutes.

A regular customer who came to show support said that the bubble tea shop could be forced to close down for making known its pro-democracy stance.

"I would do whatever I can to show my support when the shop still opens."

A British student in Hong Kong, Sam visited RoyalTea for the first time. Sam said, althought he doesn't know the local political situation well, he has witnessed "a lot of political changes going on in Hong Kong" in the past year. Sam said that the community has been "oppressed".

Sam is hoping to show his support for those still clinging tight to their beliefs in Hong Kong.

Jessica, one of the two staff members being taken away by the police for "investigation" said she felt "terrified and lost" during police investigation.

However, she asked the supporters of the shop not to worry. She also wishes Hongkongers to stay blissful and hopeful for freedom.

Source: Inmediahk, #Apr14
https://bit.ly/3KKGK4H

#Oppression #ScareTactics #Regime #PoliceState

#ProtestArt
Pro-democracy documentary depicting Anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong in 2019 sets for international viewing on Vimeo in June

The award recognised documentary, Revolution of Our Times will soon be released internationally on Vimeo, an online streaming platform, on June 1, 2022.

The team of the documentary told supporters on the Facebook page that they want to let the world witness the determination and courage of the Hongkongers in the pursuit of democracy and freedom.

"Never forget why we started this journey, we hope the documentary will travel far, and reach out to more people," the team wrote.

#KiwiChow #ANTIELAB #PoliceState #PoliticalOppression

Pre-order links:
English only subtitled version
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/revolutionofourtimeseng

Chinese and English subtitled version https://vimeo.com/ondemand/revolutionofourtimes

Source: Inmediahk; #May27

#WhiteTerror #FreedomofReligion
Cardinal Joseph Zen appears in court in Hong Kong on day of prayer for China

Ninety-year-old retired Catholic cardinal #JosephZen hosted a packed mass in Hong Kong on the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, just hours after a brief court hearing over charges linked to pro-democracy protests.

In his homily after pleading not guilty to charges of failing to register a pro-democracy association to Hong Kong Police, Zen chose not to speak about his legal case, but to highlight how Catholics in some parts of China cannot attend Mass right now — for they have no freedom now.

Zen dedicated the mass to churches in China where believers are still split between a so-called “underground” church resistant to the government, and a state-sanctioned church belonging to the Chinese Communist Party’s Patriotic Catholic Association.

In his remarks at Mass, Zen again criticised the deal between China and the #Vatican that allows Beijing to nominate bishops for the pope’s approval, calling it “unwise” despite being made with “good intention”.

"There is an urge to unify those above the ground and those underground but it seems that time is not ripe yet,” Zen said.

Implying that there may be more difficult times ahead, Zen said that “we may have to bear some pain and steel ourselves for our loyalty to our faith.”

He also dedicated prayers to churches in Myanmar led by #CardinalBo, his most outspoken supporter in Asia, as well as “brothers and sisters who cannot join tonight because they are not free”.

Zen, one of Asia’s highest-ranking Catholic clerics, was among five prominent democracy advocates — including activist and singer #DeniseHo and veteran human rights barrister #MargaretNg — who were arrested in early May. His arrest is part of a national security police probe into foreign collusion over a legal support fund for pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

Instead, all five of the fund’s former trustees and its secretary were charged on May 24 with failing to register it as a “society” with police — a non-national security offence. All plead not guilty.

#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #Oppression

Image source: #FirstHand
Sources: Reuters, HKFP, UCA News; #May25
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kong-catholic-cardinal-criticises-china-deal-after-national-security-arrest-2022-05-24/

-----
Related News
Hong Kong Catholic group will not hold Tiananmen crackdown masses citing fears over national security law
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/32764

612 Fund Trustees and Secretary Plead Not Guilty for "Non-registered organisation" Charge
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/32751
.

#HongKong Bashes #GlobalMedia With Hundreds of Complaint Letters

//From Slovakia to Japan, top Hong Kong officials have fired off at least 500 letters in 2022 blasting critical foreign media coverage, as the city wages a global battle to safeguard its reputation as a liberal financial hub.

At least 174 media outlets in almost 30 countries received missives from city leaders -- including its now chief executive, #JohnLee -- since China announced in May 2020 that it would impose a national security law on the former British colony. The correspondence, often written both in English and the publication’s native language, was uploaded to the “Clarifications” tab of the government’s communications platform known as Brand Hong Kong.

About half of the letters, which responded to a mix of reports and editorials, hit back at criticism of Beijing’s sweeping security law, while roughly a third defended a mandate that only Communist Party loyalists can hold office in the city. Neighboring Asian nations got 42% of the complaints, led by Japan and South Korea, while business publications including the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Economist got the most letters. Bloomberg received seven...

Hong Kong’s crackdown on freedoms has eroded the city’s reputation among many foreign governments...

Hong Kong’s press freedom ranking has plummeted since the security law clamped down on free speech. The city came 148 in the Reporters Without Borders 2022 World Press Freedom Index, representing a fall of 68 places from last year.//

Source: Bloomberg #Jul25
https://t.co/OHZN4fVjye

#Whitewash #Censorship #PressFreedom #NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #Authoritarianism

#Court
Man who Posted Video of Olympic Gold Ceremony with "Glory to Hong Kong" Now Charged with "Insulting National Anthem of China"

When Hong Kong fencer #CheungKaLong won a #GoldMedal at the #TokyoOlympics in July 2021, many Hongkongers were overjoyed. Among them, a 27-year-old man published a video of the medal ceremony on the Internet, replacing the audio of China's national anthem with "Glory to Hong Kong," an anthem of the 2019 #AntiELAB movement.

One year later, the man was now charged with "insulting the national anthem of China" and "insulting the emblem of the Hong Kong SAR."

The case was heard in the Eastern Magistrates on July 22, 2022. The man was not represented by any counsel. The magistrate accepted the man's request to postpone the hearing to September 2, 2022, so that the man can look for a lawyer.

Source: InMedia #Jul22
https://bit.ly/3aVGjYS

#NationalAnthemOrdinance #PoliceState #Censorship #GlorytoHongKong #Sport #OnlineVideo #HongKongAthlete