It is a distinguished guest who moved to the premises of Force Ouvrière 28, this Thursday, March 9, at the house of the unions in Chartres. This is Christopher Mung, director of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Hong Kong labor rights monitor (Hong Kong Human Rights Observatory).
This former official of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) has now been exiled in the United Kingdom, in London, for almost two years. He campaigns for the rights of workers in Hong Kong, failing to be able to continue to organize it on the spot.
“Freedoms are retreating in Hong Kong”
Éric Jarry, general secretary of the FO 28 departmental union, explains why the Eurelian union organized the visit of Christopher Mung:
“It is a privilege for us to welcome him. Christopher Mung is in France for a few days and we have invited him. He shared his experience on the situation of workers in Hong Kong and the actions taken by his organization to support them. Christopher Mung exchanged with people representing different sectors and trades. It’s very rewarding.”
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The Hong Kong dissident was indeed present in Paris on Tuesday March 7, in the front line of the procession against the pension reform project, alongside national union leaders: “We must support the legitimate mobilization of the population in France.”
Christopher Mung took the time to come back to the situation in Hong Kong. This former British colony, returned to China in 1997, experienced a rigorous political, social and economic takeover by the communist regime in Beijing.
“Hong Kong is going through a very difficult time for human rights, underlines Christopher Mung. Since the Chinese government forcibly applied the national security law in 2020, human rights and freedoms are in decline.”
Christopher Mung (Hong Kong trade unionist in exile)
The regime’s crackdown led to the dissolution of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU):
“With this law, trade unions have become the target of the government. Activists are threatened and arrested. Our union’s general secretary, Lee Cheuk Yan, who was accused of fighting for democracy, was sentenced to twenty months prison. He served his sentence, but is still imprisoned! Several union organizers have been arrested or charged.”
“For a free and independent labor movement”
It is therefore to alert world public opinion that Christopher Mung is mobilizing today, notably with the Hong Kong Human Rights Observatory:
“Political surveillance in Hong Kong is harsh and it is difficult for civil society organizations to voice their opinions. Our ambition is to defend Hong Kong workers and amplify their voice around the world. I fight for a free and independent labor movement. And the support of French activists is very important.”
Convenient. Hong Kong labor rights monitor NGO website: hklabourrights.org
Simon Dechet
