Hong Kong rights group behind prison letter-writing campaign disbands after minister’s national security law warning

Non-profit group Wall-fare had passed along messages of encouragement and care packages to arrested opposition figures and protesters

Disbandment follows security chief Chris Tang warning such campaigns threatened national security, and revelation that some groups’ non-profit status could be targeted

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Shiu Ka-chun at Wall-fare’s offices on Tuesday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 4:38pm, 14 Sep 2021Updated: 11:35pm, 14 Sep 2021

A prisoners’ rights group in Hong Kong has announced it will disband after the city’s security chief warned that inmates arrested on national security charges were being encouraged by people outside prison walls to fight on for their causes.

Wall-fare, a non-profit group led by former opposition lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun, took to social media on Tuesday to say it would be dissolved with immediate effect.

“Even if we are crushed in the end, the time in between was worth it,” the group wrote in a farewell announcement on Facebook. “Wind and rain always pass, and for those inside and outside the wall, the most important thing is that the people are fine.”

The group was founded in December 2020 to promote the well-being of prisoners, especially anti-government protesters struggling with emotional or physical challenges behind bars.

It offered free packages containing supplies allowed under Correctional Services Department rules such as wet wipes, tissues and stationery items.

Hong Kong’s Stanley Prison. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

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