Hong Kong’s National Security Law banned the UK-based NGO Hong Kong Watch

Hong Kong’s National Security Law banned the UK-based NGO Hong Kong Watch
Photo by Claudio Schwarz via Unsplash

16-03-2022

 

Michela Rivellino

 

China and Human Rights Researcher

 

Global Human Rights Defence

 

On March 10th, the UK-based rights group Hong Kong Watch was accused of carrying on activities that threatened Chinese national security. Since its implementation in 2020, the Hong Kong National Security Law has already silenced several civil society groups within Hong Kong. However, the law is now being implemented against foreign organizations that stand up for human rights in Hong Kong.

 

Following the Hong Kong Watch’s attempt to raise awareness of forced exiles and repression against democratic campaigners in the region, the local authorities have threatened the UK-based NGO with financial penalties and jail. 

In this regard, the National Security Department’s allegations targeted the Group’s website content, following some “offensive” posts that publicly called for the liberation of Hong Kong political prisoners. Furthermore, in a letter to the UK Group’s Director Benedict Rogers, the authorities asked him to shut down the website since it was allegedly encouraging foreign countries to impose sanctions against the Hong Kong government. 

 

According to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, the illegitimate actions against Hong Kong Watch show the Government’s intention to undermine freedom of expression globally and spread censorship within and around Hong Kong. 

Sources and further reading:

 

Gye, H. (2022, March 14). “Liz Truss warns China wants to ‘silence’ human rights in Hong Kong as UK-based democracy group is banned”. I News. From

https://inews.co.uk/news/liz-truss-warns-china-silence-human-rights-hong-kong-uk-based-democracy-group-banned-1516712.

 

Reuters. (2022, March 15). “U.K.-based rights group says Hong Kong police accused it of violating security law”. NBC News. From 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hong-kong-watch-accused-national-security-law-rcna20031.