Immediately release four pro-democracy activists

“Unwilling to addressthe legitimate grievances of large segments of Hong Kong’s society, theauthorities have now escalated the repression of dissent by arresting prominentpro-democracy activists. These arrests are likely to exacerbate tensions andshow the Hong Kong government’s lack of sincerity in its calls for dialoguewith protesters”, said FIDH Vice-President Adilur Rahman Khan.

In the night of August29, 2019, authorities arrested Mr. AndyChan, the leader of the banned pro-independence Hong Kong National Party,at Hong Kong International Airport while he was trying to board a flight toJapan. Police said Mr. Chan was arrested for allegedly rioting and assaulting apolice officer during a demonstration on July 13, 2019.

On the morning ofAugust 30, 2019, police arrested Mr. JoshuaWong, pro-democracy activist and Secretary-General of the political partyDemosisto, while he was on his way to the South Horizons metro station. Mr.Wong was taken into custody at the Wan Chai police headquarters and detainedfor allegedly inciting, organising, and participating in a protest at Wan Chaipolice headquarters on June 21, 2019. Mr. Wong had been released from prison onJune 17, 2019, after serving a two-month prison sentence in connection with hisparticipation in the 2014 pro-democracy Umbrella Movement.

Also on the morning ofAugust 30, 2019, authorities arrested Ms. AgnesChow, Demosisto member and pro-democracy activist, at her home in Tai Po.Ms. Chow was arrested in connection with the above-mentioned protest at WanChai police headquarters on June 21, 2019.

On the afternoon ofAugust 30, 2019, police arrested Ms. AltheaSuen, a former president of the University of Hong Kong’s student union,after she turned herself in at the Wan Chai police headquarters, accompanied byher lawyer. Police sought to arrest Ms. Suen at her home the previous night butshe was not at home at the time. Ms. Suen was arrested in relation to thestorming of the Legislative Council (LegCo) building during a demonstration onJuly 1, 2019.

“We condemn theseemingly coordinated arrest of four prominent pro-democracy figures, which isa blatant attempt to silence and intimidate human rights defenders in HongKong. Authorities must immediately release them and refrain from undertakingsimilar acts against all individuals who conduct peaceful and legitimate humanrights activities”, said OMCT Secretary General Gerald Staberock.

“The targeted arrest ofkey activists on the eve of a crucial demonstration planned for August 31highlights what Carrie Lam means by rule of law - that is, use of the criminalprocess as a weapon to intimidate, chill, and punish Hong Kong citizensexercising their fundamental rights. The international community must condemnthis trend of politicised detentions and arrests in violation of theinternational obligations of the Hong Kong government", said HRICExecutive Director Sharon Hom.

Sustained, large-scale,and predominantly peaceful protestshave been held in Hong Kong since 12 June 2019.Demonstrators initially called for the withdrawal of a proposedextradition bill that was inconsistent with international human rightsstandards. After the excessive use of force by policeduring the June 12 protest and the refusal by Hong Kong’s Chief ExecutiveCarrie Lam to formally withdraw the extradition bill, protesters have continuedto stage demonstration at various locations across the SAR. In addition to thefull withdrawal of the extradition bill, demonstrators have also called for: 1)an amnesty for all arrested protesters; 2) the withdrawal of the charges of“rioting” against protesters; 3) the launch of independent investigation intoall allegations of excessive use of force by police against protesters; and 4)universal suffrage.

For more information,please contact:

· FIDH: +33 1 43 55 25 18 · OMCT: Iolanda Jaquemet +41 79 539 41 06 / Email:ij@omct.org; Delphine Reculeau: +41 22 809 49 39 / Email: dr@omct.org