Hong Kong localist asks High Court to rule on city’s freedoms amid rising political tensions
Edward Leung accuses the city’s authorities of acting unconstitutionally by refusing to mail his election material
A localism advocate has asked a Hong Kong court to decide whether people who call for self-determination for the city are constitutionally protected under freedom of speech.
The legal action by Hong Kong Indigenous member Edward Leung Tin-kei follows the authorities’ refusal to circulate his politically sensitive election leaflets and comes amid threats from Beijing and Hong Kong officials about possible criminal liabilities for anyone promoting independence from China.
Leung lodged an appeal for a judicial review at the High Court on Wednesday, accusing the Registration and Electoral Office of acting unconstitutionally when it refused to mail his material.
“Self-determination ought to be protected under freedom of expression,” said Leung, who secured an unexpectedly high 66,000 votes when he ran in the Legislative Council by-election in February. “We have the right to discuss it – whether the government likes it or not.”
The electoral office did not comment on the legal action.