March 15, 2022
2 mins read

British rights group threatened under China’s security law

Rogers said his group will not be silenced by the warning and will continue to speak out for Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms…reports Asian Lite News

Britain’s foreign secretary on Monday accused Chinese authorities of trying to silence free speech after a UK-based human rights group said Hong Kong police threatened it with a prison sentence and fines for allegedly violating China’s national security law.

Hong Kong Watch said it received a formal warning from Hong Kong police accusing it of “seriously interfering” in Hong Kong affairs and jeopardizing China’s national security by activities including lobbying foreign countries to impose sanctions against China or Hong Kong.

The letter warned that the group could face a fine of HK$100,000 (£9,800) and that its chief executive, Benedict Rogers, could face three years in prison.

The move is one of the first times that a foreigner living abroad has been targeted under China’s sweeping national security law, which was imposed in 2020 as part of Beijing’s increasing crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong following months of anti-government protests.

“The unjustifiable action taken against the U.K.-based NGO Hong Kong Watch is clearly an attempt to silence those who stand up for human rights in Hong Kong,” British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.

“Attempting to silence voices globally that speak up for freedom and democracy is unacceptable and will never succeed,” she said.

Rogers said his group will not be silenced by the warning and will continue to speak out for Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms.

Hong Kong, a former British colony that long enjoyed civil liberties and freedoms not seen elsewhere in mainland China, was promised a high degree of autonomy for 50 years when it was handed over to Chinese rule in 1997.

But in recent years Beijing has tightened its grip on the city and many have fled abroad after the introduction of the security law, which criminalizes what authorities describe as secession, subversion of state power, terrorism, and foreign collusion in intervening in Hong Kong’s affairs.

Since 2020, media outlets critical of the government have been closed, the opposition has been shut out from elections and all the city’s major pro-democracy figures have either been jailed or have sought asylum abroad.

ALSO READ-‘The people of Ukraine are mourning with you’

Previous Story

Citizens advised to avoid Lanka travel

Next Story

Next UN chief should be female, says UNGA President

Latest from -Top News

India wins unopposed seat on UNHRC

India last served on the HRC in 2024, completing a second consecutive term….reports Asian Lite News India has been elected unopposed to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the seventh time,

Relief Rolls In, Restrictions Remain in Gaza

Israeli official noted an Israeli statement saying it would limit the number of aid truckloads entering the Gaza Strip to 300 daily…reports Asian Lite News Relief operations in Gaza have intensified since

Madagascar Under Military Rule

Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced on Tuesday that a military council of the army, gendarmerie, and police has taken control of Madagascar….reports Asian Lite News Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a Malagasy military officer, announced

Pakistan Faces Rising Uprisings

Officials warn that Pakistan cannot continue suppressing such protests by force indefinitely. A breaking point, they say, is inevitable — when the growing discontent converges into a major challenge for the establishment
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pak PM Mourns Loss of Chinese Nationals, Vows probe

Shehbaz Sharif assured that an immediate investigation is underway to

CPC sharpens arsenal against int’l criticism

There was use of English and other non-Chinese languages to