Hong Kong Activists Granted Asylum in UK and Australia
In a bold move that has rattled the Chinese special administrative region’s government, two pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong have been granted asylum in the UK and Australia.
Hong Kong officials wasted no time in summoning the Australian and British envoys, delivering a stern warning from Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki about “harbouring offenders.”
Former lawmaker Ted Hui and student leader Tony Chung made headlines over the weekend by announcing their successful asylum bids in Australia and the UK, respectively.
Both individuals had faced jail time under Beijing’s national security law, a controversial measure that critics argue is used to stifle dissent and sow fear among citizens.
Hui fled Hong Kong in December 2020 to avoid charges related to his participation in anti-government protests, while Chung left in 2023 citing intense pressure from police surveillance.
Defending their actions, Hong Kong’s government insisted that arrests are made based on evidence, not political affiliations.
Since the enactment of the national security law in 2020, hundreds of activists in Hong Kong have been arrested and prosecuted, marking a significant crackdown on dissent following mass pro-democracy demonstrations.
Hui, now residing in Adelaide with his family, expressed gratitude for the protection visas that safeguarded them, lamenting the necessity to leave behind their beloved homeland.
Known for his outspoken activism, Hui famously protested the national security law by tossing rotten plants in the Legislative Council chamber, symbolizing the decay of Hong Kong’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, Chung shared his relief at securing refugee status in the UK, allowing him to embark on a fresh chapter after enduring months of uncertainty.
The UK Home Office’s letter to Chung acknowledged his legitimate fear of persecution, preventing his return to Hong Kong where he was convicted under the national security law for advocating secession.
In a separate development, the UK government criticized Hong Kong’s authorities for incentivizing informants to assist in the apprehension of pro-democracy activists residing in Britain, condemning it as a form of “transnational repression.” — BBC
