25 minutes ago
Image source, Reuters
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Leicester Chum was banned from running for legislative elections. Then arrested
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Hong Kong arrested dozens of pro-democratic activists and politicians. Which allegedly tried to “overthrow” the Hong Kong government.
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A group of people arrested under the new critical security law participated in a “poll” to select opposition candidates ahead of the 2020 election, which was later postponed.
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The secretary general of the Hong Kong Security Office said their actions were “Subversion”
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The arrest is part of the largest clearance since the law was introduced.
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The Chinese government enforced the law in Hong Kong in June last year, saying it was needed to stifle months of and at times violent protests for democracy.
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But Wednesday’s purge appeared to underscore fears of warnings by Amnesty International about the adoption of the law. “It’s clearly shown that How has national security law become a weapon of punishment for those who dare to challenge political powers? ”
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What happened today (6 Jan)?
Morning local time Police have begun raiding and arresting prominent figures against the Hong Kong government.
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- 53 people were arrested.
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- Send about 1,000 national security officers to perform their duties.
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- Police searched the home of detained activist Joshua Wong.
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- Police searched the office of the law firm Ho Tse Wai & Partners.
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- Three media outlets were asked to submit information to the authorities on the matter in which Apple Daily and Stand News were holding a panel discussion on the election of the candidates. (In-Media) advertises polling management.
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Among the number of people arrested are expected. Three members of the Civic Party, seven Democratic Party members, 21 opposition district councilors, 13 voting candidates, two academics behind the polling strategy. Also have US citizens Who is a human rights attorney from a law firm that was also searched
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There were a number of well-known opposition figures among the detained, including James Tho, Lam Choc Ting, Lester Chum, and Benny Tai, one of the proponents of the poll. The US lawyer is John Clancy, Chair of the Asian Human Rights Commission.
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Image source, Getty Images
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Benny Tai was among those who proposed a poll to be organized.
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Hours after the early arrest, John Lee, secretary general of the Hong Kong Security Service, confirmed that a group of people had been arrested as part of an operation aimed at people suspected of “toppling” the Hong Kong government.
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He said at the Hong Kong Legislative Assembly that The government will not tolerate actions that are “Subversion”
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What is a poll?
In July last year, several opposition opposition allies organized their own polls to see which of their candidates had the greatest chance of winning the Hong Kong parliamentary election. Which is scheduled to be held in September last year.
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More than 600,000 people came out to vote in the polls. Later, the legislative elections were postponed. Officials cited concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak. As a reason for postponement
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Many opposition groups hope that Gaining more seats in the House of Commons would give them the power to thwart government proposals and put pressure on democratic reforms.
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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam warned at the time that Setting up an election poll can be destructive.
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Image source, Reuters
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In July last year, Joshua Wong and Lester Chum hoped to run for legislative elections.
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After that come Several key opposition figures planning to run the legislature have also been disqualified, including Joshua Wong and Lester Chum.
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Gwyneth Ho, former correspondent It rose to prominence in protests in 2019 and was later disqualified to run for legislative elections. Was among those who were arrested today (6 Jan) as well
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Most of the opposition lawmakers in the current legislature resigned several in November to protest the dismissal of four lawmakers.
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“Eliminate the opposition”
Danny Vincent BBC News Hong Kong
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The new security law spreads what activists often call “White terror” (white terror) throughout Hong Kong.
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When the law enforcement officials They claim This law is aimed at only a small number of activists. But from the broad spectrum of operations today Has made many people afraid that The authorities are trying to eliminate all opposition.
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This law makes it difficult to protest on the streets. And led to more activists fleeing Hong Kong
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Today’s arrest is the largest sweep of pro-democracy. Since the adoption of this law If charged under the new national security law They could be sentenced to life in prison.
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How was the reaction?
Many countries condemn the purges of arrests today.
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Mr. Anthony Blinken, the President of the United States Joe Biden. Elected to serve as the next foreign minister, said the arrest was “Brave attacks on those who support universal rights”
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The Biden-Harris Government Will stand alongside the people of Hong Kong And oppose the suppression of democracy by the Chinese government ”
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Image source, Reuters
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Anthony Blinken, the next US Secretary of State, said the US government would stand alongside Hong Kong.
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Bensass, United States Senator A member of a parliamentary committee on intelligence, warned that the Chinese government was working on a global crackdown on the United States.
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China’s President Xi Jinping “sees America with divisions and distractions. And he’s not going to waste his chance, ”said Senator Bensas. The dictators of the Chinese Communist Party are very cowardly. ”
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Maya Wang, a Chinese expert at Human Rights Watch, said: “The Chinese government has once again failed to learn from its mistakes in Hong Kong. The repression gave rise to resistance. And millions of Hong Kong people will continue to stand up for their right to vote and run in the democratically elected government.
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Nathan Law, a prominent Hong Kong activist who escaped in July last year, said the arrests were widespread. “Oppression of political freedom and freedom of opinion” moved to “another level”.
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“Anyone who continues to defend national security laws And still silent Is the enemy of the people of Hong Kong ”
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Hong Kong security law
Security laws carry punishments up to life imprisonment. If it is guilty of what China broadly describes as separatism, subversion, terrorism And conspiracy with foreign forces
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Various human rights groups and Western nations have criticized the law widely. That it is effective to get rid of the rebels
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Image source, Reuters
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Democratic protests have been going on for years in Hong Kong.
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Hong Kong, a former British colony Returned to China in 1997, Hong Kong still has more political and civil liberties than China does.
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Activists say Over the years These freedoms have diminished. There have been many protests in support of democracy and there are often violent clashes with the police.
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The Chinese government defended the law that Will help stabilize Hong Kong again. After being hit by many democratic protests. And will make Hong Kong’s law more compliant with mainland China
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After this law is applied A number of pro-democracy groups have disbanded themselves over safety concerns.
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In the past several months The court has begun investigating many famous cases using this security law.
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Jimmy Lai, a billionaire media owner. Charged under this law Like many activists who attempted to flee Hong Kong in August last year, too.
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