It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts, which were broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. In June 2020, Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution – bypassing the local legislature – following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. At Hong Kong’s first authorised protest against a government policy in about two years, demonstrators were made to wear numbered tags and carry their own cordon lines. While some small-scale public gatherings have recently been granted police approval, they have been subject to stringent measures. It was among the 50-odd civil society groups that folded in the wake of the Beijing-imposed national security law. The HKCTU announced its decision to disband citing threats to members’ safety in September 2021. Photo: Jennifer Creery/HKFP.īoth Wong and To were among the ex-HKCTU members taken by national security police to assist an investigation last month, after former chief executive of the union coalition Elizabeth Tang was arrested on suspicion of foreign collusion. Meanwhile, the city’s director of public prosecutions warned that “words are weapons,” and that those who used their words to incite others to commit an offence would be punished. The duo had urged the police not to “exaggerate” the risk of demonstrations being “hijacked.” Hong Kong’s security chief later criticised Wong and To for making “irresponsible” comments that played down the “safety risks” of public rallies. However, the two organisers said last Saturday that they had been interrogated by the Hong Kong police about where they got their funding for the proposed demonstration and how they would guard against violent groups “hijacking” the march. on May 1, with the maximum size of the rally set at 500. On 11 April, To and Wong filed an application to march from Victoria Park in Causeway Bay to the Central Government Offices in Admiralty at 3 p.m. Safety risksīefore the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, Hong Kong would see large-scale Labour Day demonstrations every year with participants from across the political spectrum. However, he said if the organisers considered themselves incapable of ensuring the safety of the public event, cancelling the march would be a responsible move. When asked about To’s claims during a visit to Beijing on Wednesday, Hong Kong’s Security Secretary Chris Tang did not clarify whether national security police had spoken to Wong, and asked the media to inquire with the organisers why their application for the march had been withdrawn.
To ended his statement with an apology to the public.
The former HKCTU member cited American historian Timothy Snyder, known for his expertise in authoritarian states, in his Facebook post, saying that this setback would not hamper their determination to fight for labour rights. He expressed hope that Hongkongers would uphold their beliefs despite any hardships encountered at the moment. “This is not a coincidence,” the labour rights activist said. To added that they had expected this development when applying for approval to hold the march. A police spokesperson warned that anyone who gathered unlawfully on Hong Kong Island on May 1 could be charged with participating in an illegal assembly, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The police confirmed on Wednesday that they had received the cancellation of the request for a Labour Day march.
“Wong has made his best effort to preserve the rights to assemble, I completely respect and support his decision,” To said in his statement. From past experience, To added that he could imagine what had happened. To said Wong had withdrawn the application for the march, which had yet to receive police approval, something that is required for public processions of more than 30 people.Ĭiting Article 63 of the national security law – which prohibits the disclosure of information involved in national security cases – To said he was not able to make any further details public. To claimed that Wong had not been arrested, but had experienced an “emotional meltdown” and was under tremendous pressure. Over four hours later, another organiser and former HKCTU member, Denny To, released a statement announcing that Wong had “regained his freedom” at 11:30 a.m. They have contacted lawyers to follow up,” the statement read. “His family and friends suspect that Wong might have been taken away by the police for investigation, or arrested.
#Stock photo police writing ticket free#
'Emotional meltdown': Hong Kong Labour Day demo cancelled, as activist says security law prevents disclosing why - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP Close
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