UK based human rights group, Hong Kong Watch, is being urged by Hong Kong authorities to shut down its website after being accused of breaching China’s National Security law
“This is Beijing, really reaching out well beyond its borders to threaten our basic freedoms in the democratic world.”
CEO of Hong Kong Watch, Benedict Rogers, says that they will not remain silent. Despite threats of jail time.
While China heavily restricts the internet on the mainland, Hong Kong does not usually censor the web which allows its residents to access sites that might be critical of Beijing.
Over a month ago, the group realised that their website was blocked. Just two weeks ago Rogers says he received a letter from the Hong Kong Police followed by an email from the Hong Kong National Security Bureau, announcing that the Hong Kong Watch poses “a serious threat” to China’s National Security.
“It demanded we take it [the website] down within 72 hours of receipt of the letters and failure to comply could result in me facing a very heavy fine of HK $100,000 and a potential jail term,”
he tells ticker news.
How is this law justified?
According to Rogers, the Chinese government justifies it under the Draconian National Security Law which includes an extraterrestrial clause that was imposed on Hong Kong two years ago.
“[It] basically says, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in Hong Kong or a resident of Hong Kong. You can be anywhere in the world and be in violation of their National Security Law, so they’re using that against us,” he says.
Hong Kong Watch is the first advocacy group to be targeted by this law.
Even though Benedict Rogers and his family have received many threatening letters over the past few years, the group has made it clear that they will not be silenced by the Hong Kong government.
“We’re certainly not going to comply,” he says, “We’re very grateful that British Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, made a very strong statement.”
Truss said the Chinese Government and Hong Kong authorities must respect the universal right to freedom of speech, and uphold that right in Hong Kong in accordance with international commitments, including the Joint Declaration.
“Attempting to silence voices globally that speak up for freedom and democracy is unacceptable and will never succeed,”
she said.
The Chinese Government and Hong Kong authorities must respect the universal right to freedom of speech, and uphold that right in Hong Kong in accordance with international commitments, including the Joint Declaration.
Other governments including, Australia, Canada and others have also spoken up for the group.
Why does Beijing want to shut down Hong Kong Watch?
Rogers says one factor could be that the Hong Kong Watch was at the forefront of an effort in the United Kingdom to lobby for the British government to introduce its British National Overseas scheme for Hong Kong.
“We’ve [also] been very much at the forefront of calls for sanctions against Beijing and the Hong Kong government for dismantling Hong Kong’s freedoms. And that’s clearly a red line in their mind under the National Security Law,”
he says.
Currently, Australian journalist Cheng Lei is on trial behind closed doors in China for spy charges and there are concerns for her wellbeing.
Cheng was working for the Chinese state media CGTN and she’s being accused of supplying state secrets, Rogers says this is extremely concerning.
“It’s yet another example of China, not just threatening but arresting and imprisoning not only their own citizens but foreign nationals … Australia has really stood up to China, but the rest of the democratic world needs to do the same and we need to coordinate better our responses to Beijing’s increasing aggression,” he said.
Savannah Pocock contributed to this report.
