Human rights groups organise Hong Kong protest to support Edward Snowden

Local rights groups are planning a march to press home their call for the Hong Kong government to protect the personal safety of Edward Snowden, the former CIA man holed up in the city after blowing the whistle on US internet surveillance.

But the city's government remains tight-lipped on Snowden. He was not mentioned in a meeting between Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday, government sources said.

In-media, a website supporting freelance journalists, says it is planning a demonstration this week at the US consulate and outside government headquarters to support Snowdon.

Organiser Damon Wong Chun-pong said he was inviting more groups, including international human rights groups, to join. The Civil Human Rights Front, which is responsible for the annual July 1 pro-democracy march, has agreed to join.

"We are yet to agree on the theme of the march but basically we want to express concern about the personal safety of Snowden here," Wong said.

"If the US makes an extradition request, the Hong Kong government should not yield to pressure. It should confirm Snowden as a political asylum seeker and give him protection."