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SCMP Editorial

The release of suspects on bail is an integral part of Hong Kong’s criminal justice system. It allows those who have been arrested to remain at liberty during investigations or court proceedings.
This system depends on trust. Suspects released on bail are expected to stay out of trouble and be available if charged or tried.
If people breach their bail conditions, the system will break down.
The decision by prominent activist Agnes Chow Ting, arrested in 2020 for allegedly breaching the national security law, to jump bail is a breach of that trust. Chow was permitted to travel to Canada to study while on police bail.


She revealed on social media she would not return to Hong Kong.
Her decision has been strongly condemned by the Hong Kong government and Beijing. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said a lenient police decision to allow Chow to leave the city had led to a “complete deception”.
There is now a concern that her non-compliance will have a negative impact on others. Lee said the police would consolidate their experience regarding bail.
Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung, meanwhile, also suggested Chow’s actions might affect other suspects.
While the police will, understandably, feel betrayed by Chow it is important that decisions to grant bail and impose conditions are made in accordance with established procedures and the circumstances of each case. Others should not suffer as a result of Chow’s actions.

Her social media post, meanwhile, makes allegations that require an explanation from relevant authorities. She said police required her, as a condition for the return of her passport, to make a trip to Shenzhen, escorted by five officers.
She said she had to write a letter thanking them for helping her learn about China’s achievements.
It is not clear whether the trip, and another letter expressing regret for her past actions, were part of her bail conditions. This should be clarified.
Such requirements would be unusual, if not unprecedented.
Who were the young faces of Hong Kong’s democracy movement and where are they now?
Bail conditions should be confined to ensuring suspects behave and are present for any legal action taken against them. Further details of what happened should be provided.
Chow has already served a prison sentence for an offence committed during the 2019 civil unrest. She has had the national security investigation hanging over her head for more than three years, a very long time.
Efforts should be made to either charge or release suspects expeditiously, or at least explain why it takes so long to make a decision.


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The role of jurors in the legal system should be strengthened, not restricted

Hong Kong courts

More to Agnes Chow case than a suspect simply skipping bail

Pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow, shown being  interviewed online by Kyodo News, has revealed that she left Hong Kong to study in Canada and does not plan to return. Photo: Kyodo

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu says a lenient police decision to allow Chow to leave the city led to a “complete deception”. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong activist Agnes Chow’s decision to jump bail disappoints those who ‘try to afford leniency’: John Lee

Agnes Chow at the High Court in 2019. The activist recently announced her intention to stay in Canada instead of returning to report to police in Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee

Chief Executive John Lee says some Hongkongers underestimate the ongoing threats to national security. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong police can ask for ‘repentance letters’ and patriotic trips as part of bail terms, key government adviser says as concerns over Agnes Chow’s claims mount

Hong Kong opposition activist Agnes Chow is released from prison in 2021. She recently revealed that she had fled the city for Canada. Photo: May Tse

Agnes Chow also claims she was required to write a letter of gratitude to police for arranging her Shenzhen trip so she could “learn about the accomplishments of the motherland”. Photo: Bloomberg

Hong Kong opposition activist Agnes Chow living in Canada, says she has no plans to return over national security law case, sparking warning by Beijing

Activist Agnes Chow Ting says she has been in Canada for three months. Photo: David Wong

Agnes Chow said five officers accompanied her to Shenzhen, where she visited an exhibition on the country’s opening up and the headquarters of Tencent. Photo: Felix Wong

The young faces who were part of Hong Kong’s democracy movement — Agnes Chow, Joshua Wong, Nathan Law — and where they are now

(Left to right) Activists Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Nathan Law in 2018. Photo: Winson Wong

Activist Agnes Chow Ting in 2019. The former opposition figure has revealed she left Hong Kong for Canada three months ago and has no plans to return. Photo: David Wong

Nathan Law is currently living in the UK after leaving Hong Kong before the national security law was enacted in 2020. Photo: AFP

Joshua Wong previously achieved international fame as a student activist, appearing on the cover of Time magazine and becoming the subject of a documentary. Photo: Bloomberg

Former student leader Lester Shum was among opposition district council candidates to reap the rewards of an opposition landslide victory in 2019. Photo: May Tse

Former localist activist Edward Leung first popularised the controversial protest slogan “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” back in 2016. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Activist’s decision to not return to Hong Kong to face trial over national security law violations is a deplorable breach of trust that could impact others, but her claims of being frogmarched to Shenzhen to learn of China’s achievements must be clarified


Activist’s decision to not return to Hong Kong to face trial over national security law violations is a deplorable breach of trust that could impact others, but her claims of being frogmarched to Shenzhen to learn of China’s achievements must be clarified.


Hong Kong national security law (NSL)

Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong politics

Social media

Canada

Hong Kong

Shenzhen

John Lee

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | More to Agnes Chow case than a suspect simply skipping bail

Editorial | More to Agnes Chow case than a suspect simply skipping bail