Former Social Welfare LegCo member Shiu Ka-chun died in the early morning of Jan. 10 at the age of 55 due to a recurrence of stomach cancer.
His wife posted an obituary on Shiu’s social platform, saying that her husband “returned peacefully to his heavenly home” at 0:41 a.m. on Jan. 10, with relatives and friends by his side. The post said Shiu suffered complications after gastric cancer surgery, and though he experienced hardships in his bed, he always persevered. “Feeling the guidance and care of Heavenly Father the Lord, he was able to maintain his inner peace even in such difficult times.” The arrangements for his memorial service will be notified later.
Friends have posted their condolences after learning of Shiu’s death. Former LegCo member Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung said he felt “extremely heartbroken,” describing him as his “best partner in social welfare and social movements” through those difficult and glorious years.
“He was a person with an extraordinary level of talent and intelligence. His writing was well-versed and deep-reaching, and he had already authored many books even at a young age. His sharp remarks and witty words made his speech sound impeccable and eloquent, which often brought laughter during his discourse, but at the same time also guided his students to reflect,” Cheung said. “His ability as a natural speaker, as well as his empathy for the disadvantaged, his insistence on social justice, and his contribution to the work of prisoner rights will be passed on forever.”
Cheung said that he believed that “the best way to commemorate ‘Ah Chun’ is to continue to practice the values he represents.”
Imprisoned for Taking Part in the Occupy Central Movement
Born in 1969, Shiu started his career in social work after graduating from university. He was a senior registered social worker in Hong Kong and was a lecturer in the Department of Social Work at the Baptist University. He won his seat in the social welfare sector with 4,603 votes in the 2016 LegCo elections.
In 2012, he actively participated in the “protest against the implementation of national Education in Hong Kong.” The movement was to prevent the government from implementing China’s “moral and national education curricula,” which were considered to contain “brainwashing” components.
Shiu was also active in the Occupy Central movement in 2014 to fight for the rights of general elections in Hong Kong. He was charged with eight others in 2019 with “inciting others to commit public nuisance.” He was sentenced to 8 months of imprisonment.
Established ‘Wall-Fare’ to Promote Prisoners’ Rights
After his release from prison, he began to focus on prisoners’ rights because of his experience as an inmate. He established the concern group “Wall-Fare” in December 2020 to provide support to inmates and promote prisoners’ rights, including urging the authorities to improve the hot and high humidity problem in prisons. Many protesters were remanded or sentenced after the 2019 “Anti-Extradition” movement, and Wall-Fare was there to provide them with a variety of services, including material and emotional support, case follow-up, and assistance with welfare applications.Wall-Fare met much criticism and repression from the government and the pro-establishment camps. In September 2021, Chris Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security, without giving names, once criticized an organized group supplying prison items.
On the 14th of the same month, Shiu announced the dissolution of Wall-Fare. In an interview with the media, he did not disclose the specific reasons and said that there had been lots of pressure since the organization was established.
In addition, Shiu was informed by Hong Kong Baptist University through email that they would not renew his position as a lecturer in 2020. The email did not give a reason.
He was later hospitalized for surgery to remove half of his stomach, nearby lymphatic tissue, part of his intestines, and pancreas. His condition deteriorated last month, and he was hospitalized again, requiring intravenous drip. Shiu’s social media platforms shared his latest situation, including the need for a nasogastric tube. He was unable to speak temporarily. Two days before his death, it was revealed that he had started receiving palliative care.
