1/ Ignoring domestic and global concerns, Beijing announced the drafted #nationalsecuritylaw that casts even more doubts. The law erodes #HK’s common law jurisdictions as local courts are NOT allowed to interpret the law once disputes arise.
2/ Local courts are also NOT allowed to give a milder interpretation of the offence to protect human rights. The interpretation power is exclusively assigned to #Beijing’s top legislature Standing Committee of the NPC.
3/ It means the law only allows “human rights with Chinese characteristics”. Beijing completely ignores the concerns raised by the Bar Association about how the new law can abide by international standards like ICCPR.
4/ When only Beijing, the country with the poorest human rights record, can interpret the law and human rights protections. For judges, #CCP is playing tricks. In contrast to current practices, judges are required to be assigned, not by senior judges, by Chief Executive
5/ CE is a puppet regime appointed by #Beijing, and you know the result). While revealing #Beijing’s hostility towards local judges, the new arrangement implies political considerations and loyalty can supersede and erode judicial independence.
6/ Probably #Carrielam can pick judges that praise knife attackers for “noble sentiment” to take charge of the cases. Despite a new committee on #HK's side, China will also set up a new office in #HK and plays an even more vital role in the implementation.
7/ Instead of working on equal footing, China’s office can “monitor, supervise, coordinate and support #HKgov”, “collect intelligence” and “handle national security-related cases”. In other words, #HK’s office works under direct command of #China’s office.
8/ Your personal information can also be sent to #China, since the new body will share information (with ill-defined scopes) with #hkpolice. Without checks and balances, #Beijing requires #hkpolice and courts “cooperate with new China’s office”.
9/ While the law claims #Beijing will intervene “in specific circumstances”, this loosely defined term is highly subject to #China’s political needs. For cases like the two Canadians prosecuted in retaliation for Huawei executive’s arrest...
10/ ...They are probably beyond the capacity of #hkgov and put under #CCP’s direct jurisdiction. Under wolf warrior diplomacy, the result is entirely foreseeable. Don’t forget, once Beijing intervenes, offenders can be sent to Mainland China for trials and prisons.
11/ All these so-called “human rights protections” will just vanish into thin air. Being one of the prime targets, I will probably be subject to secret trial, black jails, televised confession and tortures.
12/ Therefore, I call upon the world to stand with Hong Kong and urge China to withdraw this evil law.
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[MSG IN CUSTODY] 1. Comparing to remanded, #save12hkyouths in China deserves more of our attention. Today marks the 93rd day of their detention. Their families finally received letters from the dozen, signifying that they are still alive. #SAVE12 campaign managed pressure China.
2. But from the content of the letters, they might have been tortured until they agreed to make forced confessions, saying they had appointed lawyers assigned by the authorities, saying they regretted taking part in activism.
3. I wish to pay tributes to our fellow activists who are about to face trials and prison, or to whom in distress for not being able to return home: We're not fearless, but you are the braver ones.
1/ On June 17 last year, it was the day after 2m of freedom-seeking HKers took to the street and called for the withdrawal of the evil law. I was released for the third time in my life on that day. More than one year, I now once again face 3 cases.
2/ Never have I underestimated the chance of imprisonment at the upcoming hearing on Mon, especially at the time when lawmakers were expelled, journalists were sued for mentioning police brutality, and universities were probed in the pretext of national security claims.
3/ After consulting with lawyers, @chowtingagnes, @ivanlamviiv and I will plead guilty, which implies that Mon’s hearing will skip trials and go straight into sentencing. Compare to with 2k HKers are prosecuted and 12 HKers detained in China, the charges that I face are minimal.
1/ No doubt there is a terrible price to pay in standing up to the Beijing and HK government. But after serving a few brief jail sentences and facing the continuing threat of harassment...
2/ I learnt to cherish the freedom I have for now, and I shall devote every bit what I have to strive for the freedom of those who have been ruthlessly denied. Courtroom, visiting prisoners and battle of university remind me of the fact that the fight has not ended yet.
3/ In the coming months, I will be facing a maximum of 5 years in jail for unauthorized assembly and up to one ridiculous year for wearing a mask in protest. But prison bars would never stop me from activism and thinking critically.
1/ Behind the notion of Milk Tea Alliance, we can see gradually there’s a calling for pan-Asian solidarity “to fend off all forms of authoritarianism from China’’.
2/ While the military government in Thailand has fostered a quite good economic partnership with China, under the Belt and Road Initiatives. In return, the military government has been extremely helpful to assist Beijing to oppress dissidents outside China such as Gui Minhai.
3/ The innovative ‘Milk Tea Alliance’ is more about how netizens and key opinion leaders on social media can take a leadership role and generate pressure against the momentum of Beijing’s propaganda machine. It will enhance more students to push forward global solidarity.
1/ ‘’If we are in the new Cold War, HK is the new Berlin.’’ -- for we are now standing between the free world and the dictatorship of China. I’m not an expert in academic but perhaps the historical context would help us shed light on many similarities.
2/ First of all, during the Cold War, Berlin was the forefront of the two competing ideologies - Capitalism & Communism; ironically, at present, Hong Kong has become the wrestling ground for two ideologies-- Democratic values, liberties versus absolute dictatorship.
3/ The communist party is very eager in expanding its influence in the world and setting up satellite states through economic means. The free world is realizing its intention and preparing itself to resist its threat.
[My comment on the mass resignation of pro-democratic camp lawmakers]
1/ After Beijing stepped in and appointed the “provisional legislature” in August, it simply explains that they can't ensure a majority had the election taken place on time. All lawmakers are lack of mandate.
2/ While the authorities decided to unseat four more lawmakers, it's time for all democratic camp lawmakers to resign from this appointed legislature. Act as decorative flower vases inside the institution may just let Beijing take advantage to calm down global discontent.
3/ We wish to warn the world that now the existence of legislature never implying the existence of check and balance. Also, it's time to rise to the fact that win seats in the election and street clash are not the two only scenes in a democratic movement.