Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#PoliceState #AsiasFinest
Two more ministers with a police background in Hong Kong; Pro-China lawmaker: "I don’t think there’s any problem with a police state"
On June 25, 2021, the Hong Kong SAR government announced personnel change in the top adminstration, where at least two more officials with law enforcement backgrounds will take up key senior positions.
The current Secretary for Security #JohnLee has been appointed as the new chief secretary. He is the city's first top minister with a police background.
Police Commissioner #ChrisTang will become the Secretary for Security. One of his deputies, #RaymondSiu, is promoted to the police chief.
The personnel change was announced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Hong Kong and officiated by the State Ministry of the PRC in Beijing.
The "promotion" has stirred up discontent among the public. Many deemed it as a blatant manifestation of a "police state" in Hong Kong.
However, pro-Beijing lawmaker Alice Mak, of the Federation of Trade Unions, said, "If it’s a police state, why not? I don’t think there’s any problem with a police state."
The government's announcement came one day after the police and the Security Bureau had cracked down the city's pro-democracy newspaper #AppleDaily, by forcing the newspaper and related magazine under #NextDigital to close down on June 24, 2021. The police arrested and charged several editors, news commentators and executives under the #NationalSecurityLaw, while the Security Bureau froze the assets of the newspaper and three related companies.
Source: InMedia #Jun25
https://bit.ly/3dvEvE3
#FailedState #PoliticalSuppression
Two more ministers with a police background in Hong Kong; Pro-China lawmaker: "I don’t think there’s any problem with a police state"
On June 25, 2021, the Hong Kong SAR government announced personnel change in the top adminstration, where at least two more officials with law enforcement backgrounds will take up key senior positions.
The current Secretary for Security #JohnLee has been appointed as the new chief secretary. He is the city's first top minister with a police background.
Police Commissioner #ChrisTang will become the Secretary for Security. One of his deputies, #RaymondSiu, is promoted to the police chief.
The personnel change was announced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam in Hong Kong and officiated by the State Ministry of the PRC in Beijing.
The "promotion" has stirred up discontent among the public. Many deemed it as a blatant manifestation of a "police state" in Hong Kong.
However, pro-Beijing lawmaker Alice Mak, of the Federation of Trade Unions, said, "If it’s a police state, why not? I don’t think there’s any problem with a police state."
The government's announcement came one day after the police and the Security Bureau had cracked down the city's pro-democracy newspaper #AppleDaily, by forcing the newspaper and related magazine under #NextDigital to close down on June 24, 2021. The police arrested and charged several editors, news commentators and executives under the #NationalSecurityLaw, while the Security Bureau froze the assets of the newspaper and three related companies.
Source: InMedia #Jun25
https://bit.ly/3dvEvE3
#FailedState #PoliticalSuppression
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#FailedState
Police Bust Dinner Gathering due to Rape Report; Hong Kong's Top Government Officials Violate Gathering Ban
Several top government officials including some heads of disciplinary forces in Hong Kong were found violating the gathering ban, as Stand News revealed on July 7, 2021.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Hermes Tang; Director of Immigration, Au Ka-wang; and the Undersecretary for Security, Sonny Au were all fined in a dinner event that took place in Wan Chai on March 2, 2021.
According to two sources, among the 9 people involved, at least one top manager of a China-owned property developer that is listed in Hong Kong Stock Market was present at the dinner. The related company, however, did not respond to the inquiry of Stand News.
The said dinner was discovered when the police investigated a rape case. According to sources, the rape took place in the same venue as the dinner, which is a residential unit in Wan Chai.
The man who was arrested and charged for attempted rape worked for a China-owned enterprise and had participated in the dinner gathering.
On July 8, 2021, the heads of customs and immigration department issued two separate but identical statements, claiming that they have paid the fine.
However, they refused to answer the journalists questions with regard to the nature and the purpose of the dinner and the conflict of interests. The government officials did not revealed whether they were treated.
Source: Stand News #Jul8
https://bit.ly/3AIMA27
#GovernmentOfficial #GatheringBan #599G #Rape #Dinner
Police Bust Dinner Gathering due to Rape Report; Hong Kong's Top Government Officials Violate Gathering Ban
Several top government officials including some heads of disciplinary forces in Hong Kong were found violating the gathering ban, as Stand News revealed on July 7, 2021.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Hermes Tang; Director of Immigration, Au Ka-wang; and the Undersecretary for Security, Sonny Au were all fined in a dinner event that took place in Wan Chai on March 2, 2021.
According to two sources, among the 9 people involved, at least one top manager of a China-owned property developer that is listed in Hong Kong Stock Market was present at the dinner. The related company, however, did not respond to the inquiry of Stand News.
The said dinner was discovered when the police investigated a rape case. According to sources, the rape took place in the same venue as the dinner, which is a residential unit in Wan Chai.
The man who was arrested and charged for attempted rape worked for a China-owned enterprise and had participated in the dinner gathering.
On July 8, 2021, the heads of customs and immigration department issued two separate but identical statements, claiming that they have paid the fine.
However, they refused to answer the journalists questions with regard to the nature and the purpose of the dinner and the conflict of interests. The government officials did not revealed whether they were treated.
Source: Stand News #Jul8
https://bit.ly/3AIMA27
#GovernmentOfficial #GatheringBan #599G #Rape #Dinner
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#WhiteTerror #Censorship
Hong Kong University Management Continues Crackdown on Pro-democracy Students
According to the #CampusTV and the journal #Undergrad run by the students of the University of Hong Kong (#HKU), the University management has been removing pro-democracy slogans and materials posted on campus.
These targeted locations include the Democracy Wall, the building where the office of Students Union was located, and notice boards in general.
The #StudentsUnion (#HKUSU) said this is a continuous crackdown by the University authorities following the deprival of the Union's right to use the office on campus.
Source: Stand News #Jul11
https://thestandnews.page.link/2nHip7rFwDUZaxSY7
#University #Students #DemocracyWall #FailedState
Hong Kong University Management Continues Crackdown on Pro-democracy Students
According to the #CampusTV and the journal #Undergrad run by the students of the University of Hong Kong (#HKU), the University management has been removing pro-democracy slogans and materials posted on campus.
These targeted locations include the Democracy Wall, the building where the office of Students Union was located, and notice boards in general.
The #StudentsUnion (#HKUSU) said this is a continuous crackdown by the University authorities following the deprival of the Union's right to use the office on campus.
Source: Stand News #Jul11
https://thestandnews.page.link/2nHip7rFwDUZaxSY7
#University #Students #DemocracyWall #FailedState
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#PoliticalPersecution #PoliceState
HK Pro-democracy Activist punished in solitary confinement for arbitrary offences
On July 20, 2021, Former Councilor of Southern District, #TiffanyYuen Ka-wai, had finished serving her 4-month jail term after taking part in the June 4 vigil at Victoria Park in 2020, which was banned by the police for the first time in 30 years.
At the end of her prison term, she was sent to the Lo Wu Correctional Facility to continue to be detained for charges linked to the pro-democracy camp primaries of Legislative Council election in 2020.
At the detention cell, she hugged several other pro-democracy activists also being detained.
Soon afterwards, Yuen was penalized by the authorities for “making physical contact with other prisoners” and placed in solitary confinement for 10 days.
Yuen’s friend Wong Li-li told reporters that there was no enforcement guidelines in the Correctional Services Department decision. Wong explained that “physical contacts” occur naturally in prison routines, condemning that the Department’s decision is arbitrary and targeting unfairly at Yuen.
Look into the Prison Rules in Hong Kong for offences against prison discipline, it certainly didn’t consist of making “physical contact with other prisoners," Wong said.
#HKProtest #NationalSecurityLaw #WhiteTerror #FailedState
Source: InMedia; #Jul24
https://bit.ly/3kSnwA6
#PoliticalSuppression #PoliticalActivists #Prison
HK Pro-democracy Activist punished in solitary confinement for arbitrary offences
On July 20, 2021, Former Councilor of Southern District, #TiffanyYuen Ka-wai, had finished serving her 4-month jail term after taking part in the June 4 vigil at Victoria Park in 2020, which was banned by the police for the first time in 30 years.
At the end of her prison term, she was sent to the Lo Wu Correctional Facility to continue to be detained for charges linked to the pro-democracy camp primaries of Legislative Council election in 2020.
At the detention cell, she hugged several other pro-democracy activists also being detained.
Soon afterwards, Yuen was penalized by the authorities for “making physical contact with other prisoners” and placed in solitary confinement for 10 days.
Yuen’s friend Wong Li-li told reporters that there was no enforcement guidelines in the Correctional Services Department decision. Wong explained that “physical contacts” occur naturally in prison routines, condemning that the Department’s decision is arbitrary and targeting unfairly at Yuen.
Look into the Prison Rules in Hong Kong for offences against prison discipline, it certainly didn’t consist of making “physical contact with other prisoners," Wong said.
#HKProtest #NationalSecurityLaw #WhiteTerror #FailedState
Source: InMedia; #Jul24
https://bit.ly/3kSnwA6
#PoliticalSuppression #PoliticalActivists #Prison
獨立媒體
袁嘉蔚與囚友擁抱遭罰水飯房10日 友人黃莉莉斥針對 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
（獨媒報導）前南區區議員袁嘉蔚於本月20日完成6.4案刑期，返回羅湖懲教所，續就民主派初選案還柙。袁嘉蔚在返回還押囚室時與其他囚友擁抱，被懲教以「與其他囚犯有身體接觸」為由，處罰單獨隔離囚禁10天（即俗稱的水飯房）。袁的友人黃莉莉接受《獨媒》訪問，批評懲教署執法準則模糊，指在囚人士於日常工作中亦會與其他人有肢體接觸，質疑處罰是針對袁嘉蔚。翻查《監獄規則
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#AsiasFinest #PoliceState #FailedState
#HongKongPolice Reinstates #NationalSecurity Director Caught in Unlicensed Massage Parlour as Personnel and Training Director
Frederic #ChoiChinPang, the National Security director of the Hong Kong Police Force (#HKPF) has been placed on leave after he was caught in a raid on an unlicensed massage parlour in May 2021. It was the first big scandal to hit the National security unit after it was set up to enforce the controversial #NationalSecurityLaw a year ago.
In just 3 months’ time, Choi has resumed duty and will be reinstated as Director of Personnel and Training in mid-August, 2021.
Police chief Raymond Siu Chak-yee quoted the Department of Justice that Choi’s case "does not involve any criminal offense". Siu also confirmed that Choi will resume his duty in the police force and take the post of Director of Personnel and Training.
Source: Stand News; #Aug12
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E6%B6%88%E6%81%AF%E8%94%A1%E5%B1%95%E9%B5%AC%E6%9C%AC%E5%91%A8%E4%B8%89%E5%B7%B2%E5%BE%A9%E8%81%B7-%E8%AA%BF%E4%BB%BB%E4%BA%BA%E4%BA%8B%E5%8F%8A%E8%A8%93%E7%B7%B4%E8%99%95%E8%99%95%E9%95%B7
#MassageParlour
#HongKongPolice Reinstates #NationalSecurity Director Caught in Unlicensed Massage Parlour as Personnel and Training Director
Frederic #ChoiChinPang, the National Security director of the Hong Kong Police Force (#HKPF) has been placed on leave after he was caught in a raid on an unlicensed massage parlour in May 2021. It was the first big scandal to hit the National security unit after it was set up to enforce the controversial #NationalSecurityLaw a year ago.
In just 3 months’ time, Choi has resumed duty and will be reinstated as Director of Personnel and Training in mid-August, 2021.
Police chief Raymond Siu Chak-yee quoted the Department of Justice that Choi’s case "does not involve any criminal offense". Siu also confirmed that Choi will resume his duty in the police force and take the post of Director of Personnel and Training.
Source: Stand News; #Aug12
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E6%B6%88%E6%81%AF%E8%94%A1%E5%B1%95%E9%B5%AC%E6%9C%AC%E5%91%A8%E4%B8%89%E5%B7%B2%E5%BE%A9%E8%81%B7-%E8%AA%BF%E4%BB%BB%E4%BA%BA%E4%BA%8B%E5%8F%8A%E8%A8%93%E7%B7%B4%E8%99%95%E8%99%95%E9%95%B7
#MassageParlour
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
Overpassing gathering restrictions, more HK Government Officials found in private dinner with #CCP officials and businessmen
In a tip-off story published in late August 2021, the Under Secretary for Security #SonnyAu Chi-kwong, Director of Immigration #Au KaWang and Commissioner of Customs and Excise, #HermesTang Yi-hoi were found attending a controversial private dinner with senior executives of #ChinaEvergrande in March this year in Wanchai.
Police reportedly fined the three top officials for violating the COVID-19 gathering restriction.
Sources further revealed that more high-ranking CCP officials have also attended the private dinner, including officials from the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong.
At the time of this report, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong has not responded to press inquiry. The Security Bureau, on the other hand, did not deny that assistant Commissioner Song Ru’an has attended the dinner.
The Bureau, however, stressed that only three Hong Kong officials were involved. It refused to divulge further, citing privacy and ongoing criminal case investigation as reasons.
Hong Kong Police did not reply whether a fine ticket will be issued to the assistant commissioner, Song.
Other attendees of the private dinner were Lai Wai-ha, Deputy Director of China Affairs of the University of Hong Kong; a commissioner of Fire Department and current senior executives of four Chinese enterprises in Hong Kong.
Responding to press inquiry, the University of Hong Kong (#HKU) denied that it was an official event saying that Lai was "invited by her friends" to the dinner.
The Fire Department said the concerning official has left the Department so it could not comment on personal matters.
All four Chinese enterprises have yet to respond.
Source: Stand News; #Aug30
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E9%AB%98%E5%AE%98%E7%8A%AF%E8%81%9A%E9%A3%AF%E5%B1%80%E9%A7%90%E6%B8%AF%E5%85%AC%E7%BD%B2%E5%89%8D%E5%89%AF%E7%89%B9%E6%B4%BE%E5%93%A1%E5%AE%8B%E5%A6%82%E5%AE%89%E8%A2%AB%E6%8C%87%E6%9C%89%E4%BB%BD%E5%87%BA%E5%B8%AD-%E4%BF%9D%E5%AE%89%E5%B1%80%E6%9C%AA%E5%90%A6%E8%AA%8D-%E6%B8%AF%E5%A4%A7%E8%AD%89%E9%AB%98%E5%B1%A4%E5%87%BA%E5%B8%AD
#Gathering #GatheringBan #Officials #FailedState
In a tip-off story published in late August 2021, the Under Secretary for Security #SonnyAu Chi-kwong, Director of Immigration #Au KaWang and Commissioner of Customs and Excise, #HermesTang Yi-hoi were found attending a controversial private dinner with senior executives of #ChinaEvergrande in March this year in Wanchai.
Police reportedly fined the three top officials for violating the COVID-19 gathering restriction.
Sources further revealed that more high-ranking CCP officials have also attended the private dinner, including officials from the Liaison Office of the Central Government in Hong Kong, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong.
At the time of this report, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong has not responded to press inquiry. The Security Bureau, on the other hand, did not deny that assistant Commissioner Song Ru’an has attended the dinner.
The Bureau, however, stressed that only three Hong Kong officials were involved. It refused to divulge further, citing privacy and ongoing criminal case investigation as reasons.
Hong Kong Police did not reply whether a fine ticket will be issued to the assistant commissioner, Song.
Other attendees of the private dinner were Lai Wai-ha, Deputy Director of China Affairs of the University of Hong Kong; a commissioner of Fire Department and current senior executives of four Chinese enterprises in Hong Kong.
Responding to press inquiry, the University of Hong Kong (#HKU) denied that it was an official event saying that Lai was "invited by her friends" to the dinner.
The Fire Department said the concerning official has left the Department so it could not comment on personal matters.
All four Chinese enterprises have yet to respond.
Source: Stand News; #Aug30
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E9%AB%98%E5%AE%98%E7%8A%AF%E8%81%9A%E9%A3%AF%E5%B1%80%E9%A7%90%E6%B8%AF%E5%85%AC%E7%BD%B2%E5%89%8D%E5%89%AF%E7%89%B9%E6%B4%BE%E5%93%A1%E5%AE%8B%E5%A6%82%E5%AE%89%E8%A2%AB%E6%8C%87%E6%9C%89%E4%BB%BD%E5%87%BA%E5%B8%AD-%E4%BF%9D%E5%AE%89%E5%B1%80%E6%9C%AA%E5%90%A6%E8%AA%8D-%E6%B8%AF%E5%A4%A7%E8%AD%89%E9%AB%98%E5%B1%A4%E5%87%BA%E5%B8%AD
#Gathering #GatheringBan #Officials #FailedState
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#MassSurveillance
Government Makes #LeaveHomeSafe app Compulsory in Hong Kong Starting from Nov 1; Police Makes Arrests
The Hong Kong SAR Government implemented yet another controversial rule on November 1, 2021, mandating the population to check in with the LeaveHomeSafe tracking app when entering government premises. These locales include libraries, wet markets, courts, and sports facilities.
On the first day of its implementation, the Hong Kong Police arrested at least 5 people in the morning at Immigration Tower in Wan Chai, accusing them of using a fake app.
RTHK reported that the arrestees included two immigration officers, one staff member of the Audit Commission and two contractors.
Although exemptions are given to children, the elderly and disabled people, they are still required to submit their personal details.
Civil Service Secretary #PatrickNip claimed the government will "exercise flexibility"; however, according to InMedia, outside the Tai Po Municipal Complex, many domestic helpers and elderly had difficulties in adapting to the policy. Some had to download the app on the site, while some left for the street market instead.
As the people of Hong Kong expressed concern over the privacy issue of the government-monitored app, many citizens bought a new phone just for installing the app and to prevent personal information from being tracked.
Source: InMedia; RTHK #Nov1
https://bit.ly/3EsNyAq
#FailedState #BigData #Privacy #Obstruction #Elderly #Regime
Government Makes #LeaveHomeSafe app Compulsory in Hong Kong Starting from Nov 1; Police Makes Arrests
The Hong Kong SAR Government implemented yet another controversial rule on November 1, 2021, mandating the population to check in with the LeaveHomeSafe tracking app when entering government premises. These locales include libraries, wet markets, courts, and sports facilities.
On the first day of its implementation, the Hong Kong Police arrested at least 5 people in the morning at Immigration Tower in Wan Chai, accusing them of using a fake app.
RTHK reported that the arrestees included two immigration officers, one staff member of the Audit Commission and two contractors.
Although exemptions are given to children, the elderly and disabled people, they are still required to submit their personal details.
Civil Service Secretary #PatrickNip claimed the government will "exercise flexibility"; however, according to InMedia, outside the Tai Po Municipal Complex, many domestic helpers and elderly had difficulties in adapting to the policy. Some had to download the app on the site, while some left for the street market instead.
As the people of Hong Kong expressed concern over the privacy issue of the government-monitored app, many citizens bought a new phone just for installing the app and to prevent personal information from being tracked.
Source: InMedia; RTHK #Nov1
https://bit.ly/3EsNyAq
#FailedState #BigData #Privacy #Obstruction #Elderly #Regime
獨立媒體
街市排長龍填紙仔 長者批「安心出行」麻煩寧改去街邊買餸 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
【獨媒報導】市民今日起須強制用「安心出行」應月程式進出政府大樓，包括街市、體育館、圖書館等，12歲以下和65歲或以上人士，及使用有困難的殘疾人士可獲豁免，但須登記個人資料。《獨媒》記者今早到大埔綜合大樓視察，不少長者及外傭未適應新政策，需即場下載程式，或在保安協助下填紙仔；亦有市民「怕麻煩」，寧改到其他地方買餸。有街市商戶指今早人流明顯減少
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Censorship
Sports Event Organisers in Hong Kong Ban "Hong Kong Add Oil" in Upcoming Events
The Hong Kong Cycling Festival and the Cross-harbour Swimming Competition announced on November 16, 2021 that their events will resume after the cancellations due to the 2019 Anti-ELAB movement and the subsequent #COVID19 pandemic in 2020.
However, the organizers are banning the participants from displaying slogans such as “Hong Kong Add Oil” (meaning, "Go for it, Hong Kong") at the upcoming events. They called it a "political slogan."
The organisers warned they will involve the police if people refuse to cooperate.
Manson Hung, director of event & product development at the Hong Kong Tourism Board said that, if the cyclists show political slogans on their outfit or bicycles, the organisers will demand them to remove them. If this is to no avail, then the organizer will involve the “appropriate law enforcement departments.”
When asked if "Hong Kong add oil” was a so-called "inappropriate" Cantonese phrase, Hung gave a vague response, “I think you understand.”
Source: Stand News; #Nov17
https://thestandnews.page.link/7FWZmNQ6j69MdtbY8
#CrossHarbourSwim #CyclingFestival #HongKongTourism #FailedState #NationalSecurityLaw #Oppression #AddOil
Sports Event Organisers in Hong Kong Ban "Hong Kong Add Oil" in Upcoming Events
The Hong Kong Cycling Festival and the Cross-harbour Swimming Competition announced on November 16, 2021 that their events will resume after the cancellations due to the 2019 Anti-ELAB movement and the subsequent #COVID19 pandemic in 2020.
However, the organizers are banning the participants from displaying slogans such as “Hong Kong Add Oil” (meaning, "Go for it, Hong Kong") at the upcoming events. They called it a "political slogan."
The organisers warned they will involve the police if people refuse to cooperate.
Manson Hung, director of event & product development at the Hong Kong Tourism Board said that, if the cyclists show political slogans on their outfit or bicycles, the organisers will demand them to remove them. If this is to no avail, then the organizer will involve the “appropriate law enforcement departments.”
When asked if "Hong Kong add oil” was a so-called "inappropriate" Cantonese phrase, Hung gave a vague response, “I think you understand.”
Source: Stand News; #Nov17
https://thestandnews.page.link/7FWZmNQ6j69MdtbY8
#CrossHarbourSwim #CyclingFestival #HongKongTourism #FailedState #NationalSecurityLaw #Oppression #AddOil
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#AnimalRights #PoliceState
Hong Kong Govenment Order to "Catch and Kill" Wild Boars, Sparking Outcry from Citizens and Animal Rights Groups
On November 9, 2021, an auxiliary police officer in Hong Kong was said being bitten by a wild pig in North Point. The boar was later found fell to its death from a 10-meter high ground.
On November 12, 2021, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (#AFCD) immediately announced a "catch-and-kill" policy to euthanise wild boars that enter urban areas.
Eight animal rights group quickly launched a signature campaign titled "Wild boars are innocent. Do Not vent your hatred and anger at animals," urging the authorities to scrap the "catch-and-kill" policy.
One of the concern groups issued an open to Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Secretary for Food and Health and Leung Siu-fai, Director of AFCD.
In the letter, the group pointed out that boars are wild animals indigenous to Hong Kong. "They are living creatures with conscious and thoughts and should be respected."
The group criticized the authorities for disregarding the wild boars' rights to live in urban areas, calling the "catch-and-kill" policy utterly unreasonable.
In less then one day, the campaign received more than 30,000 signatures.
Source: InmediaHK; #Nov14
https://bit.ly/3CbGVAZ
#AnimalCruelty #FailedState #WildBoars #Death
Hong Kong Govenment Order to "Catch and Kill" Wild Boars, Sparking Outcry from Citizens and Animal Rights Groups
On November 9, 2021, an auxiliary police officer in Hong Kong was said being bitten by a wild pig in North Point. The boar was later found fell to its death from a 10-meter high ground.
On November 12, 2021, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (#AFCD) immediately announced a "catch-and-kill" policy to euthanise wild boars that enter urban areas.
Eight animal rights group quickly launched a signature campaign titled "Wild boars are innocent. Do Not vent your hatred and anger at animals," urging the authorities to scrap the "catch-and-kill" policy.
One of the concern groups issued an open to Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Secretary for Food and Health and Leung Siu-fai, Director of AFCD.
In the letter, the group pointed out that boars are wild animals indigenous to Hong Kong. "They are living creatures with conscious and thoughts and should be respected."
The group criticized the authorities for disregarding the wild boars' rights to live in urban areas, calling the "catch-and-kill" policy utterly unreasonable.
In less then one day, the campaign received more than 30,000 signatures.
Source: InmediaHK; #Nov14
https://bit.ly/3CbGVAZ
#AnimalCruelty #FailedState #WildBoars #Death
獨立媒體
逾三萬人聯署 促漁護署收回格殺野豬令 | 獨媒報導 | 獨立媒體
（獨媒報導）一名52歲輔警早前（11月9日）在北角天后廟道被野豬咬至重傷，其後野豬跌落10米深山坡傷重死亡。漁護署三日後下
Forwarded from 📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#RuleByLaw
Hong Kong pro-democracy defendants face much heavier sentences than before 2019 protests
Since outbreak of the anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong in 2019, over 2,000 citizens have been convicted for their involvement in pro-democracy protests.
Stand News, a local newspaper consolidated relevant public data from June 2019 through November 2021, which showed a total of 34 people being charged over "behaving in disorderly manner in public places".
Among them, 8 (24%) were accused of obstructing road; another 8 (24%) being charged over hurling objects, while the remaining 18 (52%) were found guilty for making noises (swearling, chanting protest slogans, or hurling insults at Hong Kong Police). These cases saw a high conviction rate exceeding 60%.
With regards to sentencing, a large proportion of nearly 60% (12 people) of those being convicted were imprisoned for a period ranging from 3 weeks to 7 months.
Another 5% of the defendants were sent to the Correctional Services' training centers. The rest faced lighter penalties such as signing bind-over orders for conduct and probation (14%); and community service orders (24%).
In comparison, most convicts in cases of similar nature in the past were not sentenced to jail.
A legal professional group in Hong Kong explained that in the past, only some defendants with criminal records would likely be put behind bars.
However, in recent cases, even first offenders are often imprisoned.
The group added that this showed the court's intention to deploy heavier penalties against defendants from the pro-democracy movement, particularly for cases under Public Order Ordinance, as deterrence.
#RuleofLaw #RuleByLaw #PoliceState #FailedState
Source: Stand News, #Nov14
https://thestandnews.page.link/kZ66FKVG9sBLL9pA6
Hong Kong pro-democracy defendants face much heavier sentences than before 2019 protests
Since outbreak of the anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong in 2019, over 2,000 citizens have been convicted for their involvement in pro-democracy protests.
Stand News, a local newspaper consolidated relevant public data from June 2019 through November 2021, which showed a total of 34 people being charged over "behaving in disorderly manner in public places".
Among them, 8 (24%) were accused of obstructing road; another 8 (24%) being charged over hurling objects, while the remaining 18 (52%) were found guilty for making noises (swearling, chanting protest slogans, or hurling insults at Hong Kong Police). These cases saw a high conviction rate exceeding 60%.
With regards to sentencing, a large proportion of nearly 60% (12 people) of those being convicted were imprisoned for a period ranging from 3 weeks to 7 months.
Another 5% of the defendants were sent to the Correctional Services' training centers. The rest faced lighter penalties such as signing bind-over orders for conduct and probation (14%); and community service orders (24%).
In comparison, most convicts in cases of similar nature in the past were not sentenced to jail.
A legal professional group in Hong Kong explained that in the past, only some defendants with criminal records would likely be put behind bars.
However, in recent cases, even first offenders are often imprisoned.
The group added that this showed the court's intention to deploy heavier penalties against defendants from the pro-democracy movement, particularly for cases under Public Order Ordinance, as deterrence.
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Source: Stand News, #Nov14
https://thestandnews.page.link/kZ66FKVG9sBLL9pA6