HRIC Condemns Hong Kong Government's Extraterritorial Targeting of Human Rights Activists
Today, December 14, Hong Kong issued arrest warrants and HK$1,000,000 bounties for five human rights activists for their work advocating for freedom in Hong Kong, similar to the bounties issued for eight pro-democracy figures in July 2023. The newly targeted activists include Youtubers Johnny Fok and Tony Choi, and pro-democracy activists Simon Cheng, Hui Wing-ting, and Joey Siu, who is a United States citizen. All five currently live outside Hong Kong. They are accused of violating Hong Kong’s National Security Law (NSL) by “inciting succession,” “subversion,” and “colluding with foreign forces.” Critically, the Hong Kong authorities have stated openly that these five individuals are being accused primarily on the basis of activities carried out outside Hong Kong’s borders: “All of them who have already fled overseas have continued to commit offences under the national security law that seriously endangered national security, including incitement to secession, incitement to subversion, and collusion with foreign country or external elements to endanger national security,” said the National Security Department’s Steve Li. The Hong Kong authorities also reported arresting several individuals for providing support to activists wanted under the original eight warrants.
Speaking to Reuters, Joey Siu commented that she is the first American citizen to be targeted under the NSL for activities carried out while in the United States, which shows the Hong Kong government’s attempts at expanding the “extraterritorial reach” of the NSL. This behavior is reflective of the alarming trend of transnational repression, directed by the CCP and aimed at any form of dissent or human rights work, which has proliferated in recent years. However, Hong Kong’s use of the National Security Law is notable for its attempt to use the language of rule of law to engage in the harassment and silencing of activists, raising serious jurisdictional and human rights concerns.
Human Rights in China strongly condemns the Hong Kong government’s attempts to create a chilling effect on free speech beyond their borders through the intentional targeting of human rights defenders, and calls on the international community to stand up against this egregious violation of international human rights principles. Furthermore, we urge the United States government to act immediately to protect Joey Siu, an American citizen, and condemn this shameful attempt to target her for exercising her constitutional right to free speech.