US’s Blinken condemns Hong Kong authorities over bounties for activists | Human Rights News

Top US diplomat calls on worldwide group to oppose ‘transnational repression’.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned Hong Kong authorities for putting bounties on 5 pro-democracy activists based mostly abroad, together with a US citizen, calling on the worldwide group to oppose “transnational repression”.

Blinken stated on Friday that the bounties of 1 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($128,000) for info resulting in the activists’ arrest confirmed Hong Kong authorities’ disregard for worldwide norms and human rights.

“We strongly oppose any efforts to intimidate and silence individuals who choose to make the United States their home and will not waver in standing up for those who are targeted simply for exercising their human rights,” Blinken stated in an announcement.

“We encourage the international community to join us in condemning this act of transnational repression. The United States remains committed to defending the rights and freedoms of all people and calls on the PRC to act in a manner consistent with its international commitments and legal obligations,” the highest US diplomat added, referring to the acronym of China’s official title, the People’s Republic of China.

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron earlier condemned Hong Kong authorities’ transfer as a “threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights”.

Hong Kong authorities on Thursday introduced the rewards for details about Joey Siu, Simon Cheng, Frances Hui, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi, all of whom are needed below the Chinese-ruled territory’s draconian nationwide safety legislation, which claims jurisdiction over the complete planet.

Hong Kong police Chief Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-wah stated the 5 have been suspected of incitement to secession, incitement to subversion, international collusion and had “betrayed their own country and betrayed Hong Kong”.

The 5 have advocated for democracy and civil liberties in Hong Kong from overseas following a sweeping crackdown on the town that has criminalised virtually all opposition to Beijing.

Siu holds US citizenship, and Hui was granted asylum within the US in 2021.

Cheng, who was granted asylum by the British authorities in 2020, Fok and Choi all reside within the UK.

In April, Hong Kong authorities introduced bounties for info resulting in the arrest of eight different overseas-based Hong Kong activists, together with former lawmaker Ted Hui.

Siu stated on X she would “never be silenced” and would “never back down”.

Hui stated her advocacy for democracy and freedom “has not and will not stop”, whereas Cheng described the fees towards him as an “honour”.

Amnesty International stated on Thursday that the bounties have been “confirmation that the Hong Kong authorities’ systematic dismantling of human rights has officially gone global”.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday hit again at criticism of the bounties, accusing Western governments of unveiling their “malicious intentions in messing up Hong Kong”.

About 300 individuals have been arrested below Hong Kong’s nationwide safety legislation, which has drastically curtailed rights and freedoms which can be supposed to differentiate the town from the Chinese mainland below an association referred to as “one country, two systems”.

Those arrested embody Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the founding father of the defunct Apple Daily newspaper, who is about to go on trial from Monday on prices of colluding with international forces.