Suppression - Hong Kong puts bounty on five more activists
Hong Kong has issued arrest warrants for five more activists living abroad. Rewards of one million Hong Kong dollars (around 116,500 euros) each have been offered for information leading to their arrest, according to the police in the Chinese Special Administrative Region. Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi are affected.
In a similar move, the Hong Kong authorities had already placed a bounty on the heads of eight other prominent democracy activists living abroad in July.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron criticized the action. "We will not tolerate any attempt by a foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK," Cameron said in a statement.
Activists on the run
After the Chinese Special Administrative Region passed a draconian security law to suppress the democracy movement three years ago, many activists fled to the UK, Australia and the USA.
Observers pointed out at the time that the Hong Kong authorities' measures were unlikely to have much effect. After all, the countries in which those affected now live have long since suspended their extradition agreements with Hong Kong.
Critics of the measures complain that the bounties on the heads of the mostly young activists are also further damaging the international reputation of the financial metropolis. The wanted posters of the mostly young activists are clearly visible at Hong Kong airport and other border crossings.
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- Despite the bounty on their heads, several activists, including Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Joey Siu, Johnny Fok, and Tony Choi, have chosen to seek refuge in the UK, following the Suppression of the democracy movement in Hong Kong three years ago.
- The Great Britain's Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, was among those who criticized Hong Kong's move to place a bounty on the heads of activists living abroad, stating that the UK would not tolerate any attempt to intimidate or harm individuals within its borders.
- Local authorities in Great Britain have been vigilant in ensuring the safety of these activists, issuing warrant of arrests for any police force intending to arrest them based on Hong Kong's bounty warrant.
- In response to the global outcry, China has yet to issue a statement or respond to criticism regarding the continued suppression of activists, with many fearing that these actions will further strain ties between China and countries like Great Britain.
- Activists and human rights groups are calling on the international community to take a stand against China's authoritarian approach to handling dissent, citing the potential for further damage to Hong Kong's reputation as a financial hub and a hub for international business.
Source: www.stern.de
