Right to peaceful assembly and expression in Hong Kong in decline, damning Amnesty International report finds
Group claims authorities have taken a hard line against protesters and activists in the city over the past year
Hong Kong’s human rights situation is getting worse, non-profit group Amnesty International said on Thursday, claiming the city’s rights to peaceful assembly and expression have come under threat.
In an annual report reviewing the human rights situation in the city last year, the organisation said authorities had taken a hard line against protesters and activists.
“In the past year, the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression have both been dealt blows in Hong Kong,” the report said.
Wong and the other two successfully appealed against their jail terms this month.
In another case, prosecutors sought harsher punishments against 13 activists who were found guilty of illegal assembly. They too were jailed last August, and appeals are still pending.
In the past year, the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression have both been dealt blows in Hong Kong
Mabel Au Mei-po, Amnesty International Hong Kong director, said the government’s actions differed from before.
“The human rights situation in Hong Kong is deteriorating and getting less and less ideal … In previous years, protesters were not usually prosecuted, or even if they were convicted, they would have been given community service – not to the point where they would be jailed,” she said.