Hong Kong Broadens Search for Democracy Advocates Beyond its Borders

Hong Kong police have announced rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($128,000) for information leading to the arrests of five overseas-based activists accused of violating the national security law imposed by Beijing. This move is part of the Hong Kong government’s ongoing crackdown on dissidents following the anti-government protests in 2019. The introduction of the security law last year has resulted in the arrest, silencing, or self-exile of many pro-democracy activists, which has raised concerns about the erosion of freedoms promised to Hong Kong when it returned to China in 1997.

The activists targeted by the police include Johnny Fok and Tony Choi, who run a YouTube channel focused on current affairs, as well as pro-democracy activists Simon Cheng, Hui Wing-ting, and Joey Siu. It is believed that these individuals have relocated to the United States and Britain, although their exact whereabouts are unknown. In July, eight other activists living abroad were warned that they would be pursued for life, marking the first use of bounties under the security law. This announcement drew criticism from Western governments.

According to Steve Li, the chief superintendent of the police national security department, authorities have received approximately 500 pieces of information about the eight activists targeted previously. While some of the information has been valuable, no arrests have been made so far. Li stated that the newly wanted activists have committed offenses such as colluding with foreign forces and incitement to secession, accusing them of betraying their own country and Hong Kong.

In addition to these developments, four individuals were arrested on suspicion of funding former pro-democracy lawmakers Nathan Law and Ted Hui through an online subscription and crowdfunding platform. The amounts involved ranged from 10,000 to 120,000 Hong Kong dollars. The police also plan to cut financial support to the wanted activists.

The tactic of placing bounties on activists is seen as a method to silence dissent, according to Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for Greater China. She called for the withdrawal of these bounties, stating that they are an act of intimidation that transcends borders.

The international community has also expressed concerns about these actions. The US State Department condemned the “egregious actions” taken by Hong Kong authorities, emphasizing the disregard for international norms for democracy and human rights. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron instructed officials to raise the issue with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, calling for the repeal of the security law and an end to the persecution of political activists.