Who are Studentlocalism and are they a national security threat for Hong Kong?
- Little-known pro-independence group is now under the spotlight after arrests of former members over alleged breach of national security law
- Group had called for separation from mainland China through ‘courageous and militant resistance’, before it disbanded hours before new legislation kicked in
Tony Chung Hon-lam and Ho Nok-hang, Studentlocalism convenor and spokesman respectively before its break-up, were among three men and one woman, aged 16 to 21, detained on Wednesday on suspicion of organising and inciting secession.
As of Thursday evening they were still being detained for questioning. A police source said the four were suspected of being involved in another separatist group called the Initiative Independence Party. In its declaration, the group said it was founded by former Studentlocalism members who were all based overseas.
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Critics called the arrests political persecution that would force more young people to take a militant path towards independence.
Studentlocalism, which previously advocated Hong Kong independence by “courageous and militant resistance”, was disbanded on June 30, hours before the Beijing-imposed law came into effect, banning acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with a foreign country to endanger national security.
It dismissed all members in Hong Kong and said only its overseas chapters in Taiwan, the United States and Australia would continue to operate. Not much has been reported about the group since.
“Effective from today, all members in Hong Kong will be dismissed and all its affairs will be passed on to members overseas to continue with the operation,” the group’s announcement had said.