Global rallies call for release of 12 Hong Kong fugitives detained in mainland China for more than two months
- Speaking at London’s Tower Bridge, activist Nathan Law demands ‘democracy and autonomy’ in first public speech since fleeing city
- Local authorities have rejected calls to bring the group home, saying they must first be dealt with according to mainland law
Supporters of 12 Hong Kong fugitives detained in mainland China for more than two months staged demonstrations around the world at the weekend calling for their release, ahead of an online event conducted by relatives hoping to bolster support.
The Hong Kong event was streamed on a Facebook page dedicated to the cause, attracting more than 8,000 viewers at the peak. In a local studio, activist Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam interviewed relatives of some of the detainees, who urged local deputies of the National People’s Congress to help them liaise with the central government for the return of their loved ones.
The wife of Wong Wai-yin said family members were disappointed the Hong Kong government had been reluctant to offer assistance.
“In China, only respected people can become NPC deputies,” she said. “They can have access to central government people.”
I very much worry that he will not be able to withstand [confinement]
The father of Cheng Tsz-ho said: “If they can help liaise with the central government, there will be a higher chance the Hong Kong people can be released sooner.”
He called his son an “innocent, good boy” who might struggle with the circumstances of his confinement.
“They do not necessarily need to beat you, but just put you in an isolated cell” he said. “I very much worry that he will not be able to withstand it.”
Political activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung also appeared, saying: “That we could mobilise so many overseas Hongkongers and supporters to join forces to make their voices heard is a significant message – that is, despite the imposition of the national security law, we have not given up our fight and the world has not given up concern about Hongkongers.”
“It’s an important time to vow our support to the Hong Kong people and the 12 detained in mainland China,” he said. “Our demand is simple: democracy and autonomy. And we will not give up.”
Benedict Rogers, an activist who founded the group Hong Kong Watch, and Luke De Pulford, who sits on the British Conservative Party’s Human Rights Commission, also attended.
“They are in a prison in China,” Rogers said. “And we are here to cry out to the world to say free the 12 Hongkongers. Return them to Hong Kong.”
“If [their return] cannot happen immediately, at least allow them to have lawyers of their choice, to have medical access if they needed, to have contact with their family.”
There were also rallies in New York and San Francisco, Brisbane and Melbourne, as well as in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. In Taipei, 3,000 people took part in a march on Sunday, according to organiser Hong Kong Outlanders.
Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency said it deported Hongkonger Lee Pun-ho for tailing and photographing activist Tony Chung Hon-lam when Chung was in Taiwan last year.
Lee was accused of following the former convenor of pro-independence group Studentlocalism and providing snapshots to pro-Beijing newspapers in Hong Kong. Lee has been banned from entering Taiwan for an unspecified period of time.
Attempts by lawyers appointed by the families to meet the detainees have repeatedly been rejected by mainland authorities, who have said each is already represented by two lawyers.
Shenzhen authorities confirmed last month 10 in the group were arrested on suspicion of illegally crossing the border, while the other two were held for organising the crossing, a more serious charge that carries a potential seven-year sentence.
Despite calls for the Hong Kong government to provide assistance and bring them back, local authorities have said the 12 would first have to be dealt with in accordance with mainland law.
