U.S., UK, and EU officials are criticizing the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force after it announced on Dec. 24 a reward of $1 million Hong Kong dollars (US$129,000) for the arrest of six overseas Hongkongers and the designation of a further seven people as “absconders,” which revokes their passports.
The six wanted people are, Chung Kim-wah, former assistant professor of the Department of Applied Social Sciences at Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Joe Tay King-kei, actor and “HongKonger Station” host; Victor Ho Leung-mau, 69-year-old former editor-in-chief of Chinese-language newspaper Sing Tao; Carmen Lau Ka-man, former Hong Kong Democracy Council district councilor; Tony Chung Hon-lam, former leader of a student activist group; and Chloe Cheung Hei-ching, a 19-year-old activist with The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation.
A spokesperson for Gregory May, the U.S. consul general in Hong Kong and Macau, said on Dec. 27 that the United States condemns the Hong Kong government for targeting more overseas pro-democracy figures and calls on the Hong Kong government to stop using the national security law to mute opposition voices.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Dec. 24 that attempts by foreign governments to “coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm” dissidents abroad will not be tolerated, especially in the UK. He also reiterated that he will unswervingly support all members of the Hong Kong community who have emigrated to the UK and ensure their safety. He also called on the Hong Kong authorities to stop targeting people in the UK or elsewhere who are defending freedom and democracy.
EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy spokesman Anouar El Anouni also issued a statement on Dec. 24 condemning the Hong Kong government’s new arrest warrant. He pointed out that the extraterritoriality of the national security law in Hong Kong has increased the EU’s concerns and undermined Hong Kong’s attractiveness as an international business center.
El Anouni called on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to respect international commitments and the principle of one country, two systems. He also urged the Hong Kong authorities to stop suppressing democratic forces and safeguard the freedoms granted by Hong Kong’s Basic Law.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council also called on the CCP and Hong Kong to stop using political means such as the national security law and a new law, Article 23, for the persecution of human rights and freedoms.
Song Po, chairperson of the Taiwan-Hong Kong Association, said in an interview that after the passing of Article 23 in March by the Hong Kong Legislative Council, six Hongkongers residing in the UK had their Hong Kong passports revoked. The new announcement cancels the passports of seven Hongkongers in the United States and Australia.
