Washington, D.C. (February 28, 2024) — On the 3rd anniversary of the mass arrests arising from the February 28 pro-democracy primaries, HKDC expresses its formal opposition against Article 23 of the Basic Law to the SAR government. 17 international Hong Kong advocates have also echoed HKDC’s call to send their individual opposition against Article 23 despite being targets of transnational repression.
| From the Hong Kong Democracy Council: “As the SAR government concludes the purported public consultation process, organizations and advocates around the world have continued to voice their vehement opposition and grave concerns regarding the proposed implementation of Article 23. Courageous Hong Kong advocates, despite realistic risks of sustained and heightened transnational repression, have worked to expose the legislation’s repressive purposes and malicious intentions.” “HKDC’s statement underscores the SAR government’s intent to weaponize the judiciary system for human-rights repression in the name of ‘national security.’ Once passed, Article 23 offers prosecutors and judges a plethora of criminal charges to justify political prosecutions.” “The domino effect from Article 23’s perpetuated human rights abuses contributes to mangling Hong Kong’s ailing global reputation and international competitiveness. Over the past years, we have observed the city’s frequent farewells to international corporations and sought-after talent. No amount of multi-billion campaigns from ‘Hello, Hong Kong,’ ‘InvestHK,’ or ‘mega events’ can revive a city lost to political oppression.” “The new offenses introduced by Article 23 also stand in direct contradiction with John Lee’s proclaimed goal to build a ‘caring community’ in his 2023 policy address. New offenses such as “misprision of treason” and “unlawful disclosure of information” will further incite hatred and instigate conflicts in the city. Hong Kong, once ‘Asia’s World City’ – a brand promoted by the SAR government – is falling into a Cultural Revolution-esque social reality.” “We, the Hong Kong Democracy Council, firmly oppose the enactment of Article 23. We demand that the Hong Kong SAR government immediately halt the plan to enact Article 23, that it immediately revoke the implementation of the National Security Law, and most importantly, that it immediately release all political prisoners in Hong Kong.” |
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