More Opposition Silenced Today

Koo had planned to protest in front of the Liaison Office today

Just after 6am this morning, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the police came to the home of activist Koo Sze-yiu and arrested him for allegedly inciting subversion.

The authorities took the 75 year-old, who also has stage 4 cancer, and four others were detained to assist in the investigation, including Democratic Party member Virginia Fung King-man.

He was arrested for allegedly inciting subversion

Koo had informed the media that he would go to the Liaison Office in Western district to protest against China hosting the Winter Olympics which officially kicks off today. He also wanted to call attention to the political activists behind bars, that they weren't able to meet with their families during Chinese New Year, the most important family festival in the calendar.

In his letter Koo also wrote that the national security law was being "abused" and that many had been "wrongfully detained".

Chan Po-ying, chair of the League of Social Democrats, said that "if simply protesting at the China Liaison Office can be charged with incitement, it is quite terrifying."

Meanwhile another activist was finally sentenced today -- Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung -- a name we haven't heard from in ages as he has been detained in prison since he was arrested on November 1, 2020.

On May 8, 2020, a melee broke out in the Legislative Council when Starry Lee Wai-king, DAB lawmaker and incumbent chair of the House Committee, took control of a meeting (with security guards surrounding her), and Cheung and six other Democratic lawmakers tried to stop her.

Cheung was sentenced to three weeks in jail

For that Cheung pleaded guilty at West Kowloon Court today to a contempt charge under Legislative Council (Powers and Privilege) Ordinance, that was initially designed to immunise members from criminal sanctions while exercising their freedom of speech and debate.

Acting chief magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen rejected Cheung's plea for a fine or suspended sentence, saying the former lawmaker's actions had tarnished Legco's reputation and contributed to "a decline of civility" and sentenced him to three months in prison.

Cheung, who will turn 65 later this month, said he would only admit the charge, but not wrongdoing, as he maintained his prosecution was driven by political motives.

"For me, Legco is an important structure that facilitates improvements in society. I will never hold Legco in contempt," he said, as he read out a statement in the dock.

"We [opposition lawmakers] respect the 'one country, two systems' principle and strictly abide by the Basic Law, but very unfortunately, the majority of my colleagues who had insisted on our peaceful ways are already in jail."

He added: "In the end, who was the one who broke the rules, flouted the law and even suppressed the opposition with the regime that is the judiciary?"

On May 8, 2020 Cheung was carried out of Legco

Applause broke out in the gallery after Cheung's speech, but they were silenced by warnings from the magistrate and court security officers.

It is only in court can the media and public see former lawmakers and activists who are jailed or remanded in custody. And now prisons are suspending visits from family and friends for at least a week because of Omicron. 

Not only does that mean no more visits, but also no chances of receiving items from the outside world, including books, letters, notebooks and pens. 

Increasing Threats on Joshua Wong

Joshua Wong says Hongkongers will not easily surrender

 

Day by day the level of absurdity in Hong Kong rises a notch or two higher. Earlier this week it was the Hong Kong police determining who was a real reporter and who was "fake" to ensure smooth operations.

And then yesterday Joshua Wong Chi-fung was arrested for allegedly breaching the anti-mask law last October 5, when people were banned from covering their faces during protests.

The irony is that wearing masks is mandatory these days because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He was also arrested for allegedly taking part in an illegal assembly that day as well.

Koo Sze-yiu is a veteran social activist

The force said the October 5 protest was not authorized under the Public Order Ordinance, hence the charge. The 23-year-old Wong was arrested along with 74-year-old Koo Sze-yiu, a veteran social activist who has was recently diagnosed with cancer and is in hospital, according to fellow activist Nathan Law Kwun-chung.

After Wong was released on bail, he told the media waiting outside the Central Police Station that the timing of his arrest and prosecution were politically motivated.

"The government wants to produce a chilling effect on Hong Kong people to frighten people away from the October 1 march," he said, referring to the planned National Day rally.

"But I can declare that I will continue to resist and we should also let the world know Hong Kong people will not easily surrender. They can't censor our commitment to fight for freedom. The chilling effect will not work and is not the way out -- they cannot force us to surrender."

Many opposition politicians, rights groups and the European Union weighed in on Wong's arrest.

Richardson says authorities want to silence Wong

Alan Leong Kah-kit, chairman of the Civic Party said: "It's so ridiculous for the government to arrest people over participating in an anti-mask law rally when everyone now in Hong Kong has to wear masks in public places [under coronavirus measures]."

Human Rights Watch said the Hong Kong government should stop prosecuting pro-democracy activists.

"The Hong Kong authorities keep dredging up dubious cases against Joshua Wong in a heavy-handed attempt to silence him," said Sophie Richardson, China director. "Hong Kong and Chinese authorities should realize that people in Hong Kong have responded to attacks on pro-democracy voices with ever greater resolve in calling for human rights."

Law, who is currently in exile in London, is concerned that while the authorities have not yet arrested Wong for breaching the national security law, it will only be a matter of time. 

"By arresting him and charging him once more, it sends a strong signal to Joshua that, basically telling Joshua that [he should] not do anything, otherwise we will arrest you under the national security law which is much more draconian and the maximum penalty will be life-long sentencing. I think that kind of intimidation is clear," Law told CBC Radio's current affairs show As It Happens.

Law with former HK governor Chris Patten

The Civil Human Rights Front had applied to the police to hold a rally on October 1 to protest against the mainland authorities for detaining 12 people who allegedly attempted to flee to Taiwan. However, the police rejected the application, citing social-distancing measures where a maximum of four people may gather in public, and that a large crowd could constitute a "grave threat" to public health and public safety.

The front has said it will appeal, and if rejected again, will think of other ways people can protest.

By the way there were only two new coronavirus cases today...