Hong Kong to Cancel Passports of Six Exiled Activists in Britain Under New National Security Law

Hong Kong's Security Bureau announced on Wednesday that it would use powers granted by a new national security law to cancel the passports of six self-exiled activists residing in Britain. The activists, Nathan Law, Christopher Mung Siu-tat, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng, Johnny Fok Ka-chi, and Tony Choi Ming-da, fled the China-ruled city and were placed on a wanted list last year. The bureau's statement accused the activists of continuing to engage in activities that endanger national security from abroad.

The new measures, enacted under Article 23 of the national security laws introduced in March, include prohibiting the activists from receiving funds and canceling their business dealings in Hong Kong. The Security Bureau emphasized that these actions were necessary to counteract the activists' alleged collusion with external forces and to protect national security. A bounty of HK$1 million ($128,000) has also been offered for information leading to the capture of these activists.

"These lawless wanted criminals are hiding in the United Kingdom and continue to blatantly engage in activities that endanger national security," the bureau said in its statement. "They continue to collude with external forces to protect their evil deeds. We therefore have taken such measures to give them a strong blow."

Why It Matters : The cancellation of passports and other punitive measures against these activists highlight the ongoing tension between Hong Kong's authorities and pro-democracy figures who have sought refuge abroad. The actions taken under the new national security laws reflect a broader strategy by the Hong Kong government to extend its reach beyond its borders and suppress dissent. This move has significant implications for international relations, particularly with countries like the United Kingdom, which has been critical of Hong Kong's national security laws.

The measures also raise questions about the balance between national security and individual rights. Critics argue that the new laws are being used to silence dissent and erode freedoms that were promised under the "one country, two systems" formula when Hong Kong was handed back to China from British rule in 1997. The international community, including the United States, Britain, and Australia, has condemned these laws as tools of repression.

Security chief Chris Tang defended the measures at a news conference, describing them as "a necessary action." He accused British politicians, organizations, and media outlets of deliberately discrediting the Hong Kong government. When questioned about whether canceling the activists' passports violated their rights to freedom of movement as guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Tang responded that national security concerns justified such actions.

"There are exceptions because of national security grounds, and this is not just applicable to Hong Kong but applied to all civilized society," Tang said.

The Article 23 laws build on a sweeping national security law imposed by China in 2020, which has been used to jail pro-democracy activists, shut down liberal media outlets, and disband civil society groups. The 2020 law criminalizes acts such as subversion, collusion with external forces, sedition, theft of state secrets, and espionage, with penalties ranging from several years to life imprisonment.

Nathan Law, one of the targeted activists, stated on his Facebook page that he had already given up his Hong Kong passport when applying for asylum in the United Kingdom in 2020, rendering the latest measures redundant. Finn Lau, another activist, claimed he never applied for or owned a Hong Kong passport and described the actions as "an explicit act of transnational repression."

The latest actions by Hong Kong authorities underscore the ongoing crackdown on dissent and the extension of national security measures beyond the city's borders. As the international community continues to criticize these laws, the situation in Hong Kong remains a focal point for discussions on human rights and freedoms.

Key Takeaways

• Hong Kong cancels passports of six exiled activists in Britain under new national security law.
• The measures include prohibiting funds and canceling business dealings in Hong Kong.
• A bounty of HK$1 million ($128,000) is offered for information on the activists.
• Security chief Chris Tang defends the actions as necessary for national security.
• Critics argue the laws are tools of repression, eroding promised freedoms.