Hong Kong police wanted eight pro-democracy activists for “endangering national security”

On July 3, the Hong Kong police announced that eight prominent Hong Kong democracy activists in exile, including Yam Kin-fung, Yuen Kun-yi, Kwok Fung-yee, Dennis Kwok, Hui Chi-fung, Meng Siu-tat, Lau Zu-dy and Nathan Law, were wanted for suspected violations of the Hong Kong National Security Law, and offered a reward of HK $1 million each for information on the person concerned or related cases. The US government condemned the move, saying it “sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people around the world”.

Hong Kong police said the wanted persons had repeatedly held public gatherings overseas, advocating “Hong Kong independence”, “colluding with anti-China forces, and requesting foreign countries to take sanctions or other hostile acts against the country and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”. The Hong Kong Police stressed that the Hong Kong National Security Law has extraterritorial effect and is in line with the principles of international law, so the police have the responsibility to prosecute those who commit offences under the Hong Kong National Security Law outside the territory in accordance with the law.

According to RTHK reports, the Hong Kong Police National Security Department called on these people to return to Hong Kong to surrender, saying that the court can reduce or reduce the punishment of the defendant, hope that they cherish the opportunity. Chief Superintendent of the Hong Kong National Security Department Li Kwei-wah also held a press conference on the same day, he said that as long as these people do not return to Hong Kong, Hong Kong police can not arrest them, “but we will not stop (hunting them).”

In response, Nathan Law questioned on social media whether this represented a more serious crime under the National Security Law, compared to the maximum reward of HK $400,000 for a person wanted for murder. Later, Nathan Law said in the letter that he had been granted refugee status in the UK, engaged in reasonable peace advocacy work, and did not consider returning to Hong Kong to surrender, “I am just a Hong Kong person who speaks for Hong Kong people, nothing more”.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley criticized the Hong Kong police for issuing such an arrest warrant and said the British government would not tolerate any attempt by China to intimidate individuals, “We will not tolerate any attempt by China to intimidate and repress individuals in the UK and overseas, and the UK will always defend the universal right to freedom of expression.” And stand up for those who are targeted.”

“We strongly oppose China’s imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong, including its extraterritorial nature, which violates the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration, and we call on Beijing to rescind the National Security Law and on the Hong Kong authorities to cease their targeting of those who support freedom and democracy,” he added.

Since March 13, 2021, the UK has declared that China is in a state of continued non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and the UK suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong on July 20, 2020, in response to Beijing’s implementation of the National Security Law. “The UK continues to lead international efforts to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to point out violations of their rights and freedoms, and to demand that China live up to its international obligations,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

It is also worth mentioning that Ren Jianfeng, the wanted former convenor of the Law Council, is an Australian citizen. Australian Foreign Minister Wong Ying-yin said the Australian government remains very concerned about the use of Hong Kong’s national security law to arrest or intimidate those who support democracy, “the Australian government is deeply disappointed”, “freedom of speech and assembly is essential to our democracy, and we will support those who exercise these rights in Australia.” Australia remains deeply concerned about the continued erosion of Hong Kong’s rights, freedoms and autonomy.”