Hong Kong disqualifies 12 opposition nominees for assembly

At least 12 Hong Kong pro-democracy minees including Joshua Wong were disqualified for a September legislative election, with authorities saying Wednesday y failed to uphold city's mini-constitution and pledge allegiance to Hong Kong and Beijing. Ors who were disqualified include prominent pro-democracy activist Tiffany Yuen from disbanded political organization Demosisto, as well as incumbent lawmaker Dennis Kwok and three ors from pro-democracy Civic Party.

It marks a a setback for pro-democracy camp, which h aimed to win a majority of seats in legislature this year. Earlier this month, y held an ufficial primary, with candidates like Wong topping polls.Wong and many pro-democracy minees h been asked to clarify ir political stance earlier this week as ir minations were being reviewed.Or minations were still being reviewed, government said in a statement expressing support for disqualifications.“We do t rule out possibility that more minations would be invalidated,” it said.

Earlier Thursday, Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Lee Cheuk-yan rebuked a tough national security law that Beijing h imposed following last year's massive protests calling for greater freedoms. He criticized authorities for arresting four youths on suspicion of inciting secession via online posts.“Hong Kong politics keeps changing,” said Lee. “w y are using national security law against young people, se young people are being charged just for things y said.”

four, d between 16 to 21, were detained Wednesday for anuncing on social media that y h set up an organization for Hong Kong independence. An organization called Studentlocalism – which h disbanded ahe of national security law taking effect on June 30 – said in a Facebook post that four of its former members h been arrested on secession charges.Lee was speaking ahe of a court appearance with 14 or pro-democracy activists, including former lawmaker Martin Lee and media tycoon Jimmy Lai. group was arrested in April over anti-government protests last year and was charged with participating and inciting ors to take part in an unauthorized assembly.

Lee said that U.N. Human Rights Committee recently affirmed that tification of an assembly is t a requirement, and that participation in an untified assembly should t be a criminal offense.“It very clearly vindicates us, we are exercising our rights,” Lee said.

(Im Credit: AP)