HK cancels passports of six activists
HONG KONG — Hong Kong's government said on Wednesday it had canceled the passports of six democracy activists who fled to the United Kingdom, calling them «lawless wanted criminals.»
Since authorities quashed massive and occasionally violent pro-democracy protests in 2019, Hong Kong has intensified a crackdown on dissent, enacting security laws that critics like the UK and the United States say have curbed the city's unique freedoms.
Last year, Hong Kong issued HK$1 million ($128,000) in bounties for 13 activists based abroad who authorities accused of committing national security crimes.
WAVING IN THE WIND Hong Kong’s flag is seen near the city’s High Court on July 28, 2023. AFP FILE PHOTOThe six named on Wednesday — all on the bounty list — are considered «lawless wanted criminals… hiding in the United Kingdom,» a government spokesman said in a statement.
«They continue to blatantly engage in activities that endanger national security. They also make scaremongering remarks to smear and slander the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,» the spokesman added, using the city's official name.
Besides canceling their Hong Kong passports, police said anyone offering funds, leasing property or running a business with them could face up to seven years in jail.
AdvertisementThe six are former lawmaker Nathan Law; veteran unionist Christopher Mung Siu-tat; activists Finn Lau, Fok Ka-chi and Choi Ming-da; and Simon Cheng, founder of the civil society group Hongkongers in Britain.
Hong Kong officials cited a national security law passed in March — colloquially known as Article 23 — as the legal basis for canceling their passports.
Security chief Chris Tang defended the measures as «necessary,» saying the six were «harbored in the UK and continue to collude with foreign forces.»
Asked if people would violate the law by subscribing to the activists' content on online platforms such as Patreon and YouTube, Tang said «it is an offence to provide funds or to handle funds for those specified absconders, no matter what platform it is.»
AdvertisementIn response, Finn Lau said he had only ever held a British National Overseas passport, which is available to Hong Kongers born in
