After serving nearly 18 months in prison, Figo Chan Ho-wun, former convener of the Civil Human Rights Front, was released from detention on the Oct. 10. Emily Lau Wai-hing of the Democratic Party, Chan Po-ying, Chairman of the League of the Social Democrats, and Cyd Ho Sau-lan of the Labour Party, were present to welcome his release.
Chan expressed regret over the disbandment of the Front and believed that Hong Kong society has changed, and we can no longer rely on just one organization or individual to speak out. He appealed to Hong Kong people to speak up when they see injustice. He also quoted lyrics of Dear Jane’s song “Inno Per Gil Sconfitti (The Heart of San Marino)” as an encouragement to all Hongkongers.
While Chan was serving his sentence, the Civil Human Rights Front announced its dissolution. He pointed out that the Front itself was an organization that had always spoken vigorously for the people of Hong Kong over the past years. He went on to point out that all donations made to The Front had been handled according to its charter and were donated to charities.
At its prime, the Front was a coalition platform focusing on political and democratic issues in Hong Kong, and nearly all members of Hong Kong pro-democracy groups participated. However, since the CCP implemented the “Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL)” in 2020, most member organizations withdrew from it.
The Civil Human Rights Front is best known for hosting the July 1st rally in Hong Kong every year since 2003. Since then, all demonstrations launched by the pro-democracy faction were held under the name of the Front until its disbandment on Aug. 13, 2021.
Chan served as the convener between Oct. 21, 2020, and May 28, 2021. He was convicted for participating in the 2019 October 1 parade, the rally on June 4, and the July 1st parade both in 2020, and was sentenced to a total of 22 months in prison. He was jailed in May 2021.
He mentioned, in particular, the people who wrote letters, visited him in prison, and saw him off (to prison) before and after his conviction and thanked them with gratitude. He also mentioned that his father passed away a few months ago. Although he was allowed to attend his funeral, he could not accompany his father’s last moments in the hospital. He often recalled the scene when his father came to his court hearings to support him despite his frail condition and requiring special carers to carry him around. At that very moment, tears appeared in his eyes.
Chan believes that the current society has changed, and it is not possible to rely on just one organization or one person to speak out. It should be the duty of everybody whenever they spot any injustice. He also pointed out that he would not deliberately break the law, but he would uphold the beliefs in his heart. He hoped that Hong Kong people would not be afraid to speak up and instead should speak up to fight for what they deserve.
Finally, he encouraged the people of Hong Kong with Dear Jane’s song “Heart of San Marino,” and pointed out that he is “very, very, unwilling to emigrate now.”
