UK Foreign Secretary 'deeply concerned' over arrest of Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on September 24 that he was “deeply concerned” over arrest of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong. Taking to Twitter, Raab called on Hong Kong authorities to respect freedom of its citizens in accordance with Si-British Joint Declaration. 

Hong Kong police arrested activist for participating in an unauthorised assembly and violating anti-mask law during months-long anti-government protests after a contentious extrition bill was proposed. He w faces prison time up to 5 years for unauthorised assembly and 1 year for wearing a mask.

While former Demosistō leer has been released, case will be mentioned in Eastern Magistrates Court on September 30. Joshua has been protesting against draconian national security law which punishes anyone who “colludes with foreign states” to harm “security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity” of China. He h said that Beijing plans to target human rights bodies and activist groups by changing wording of offence. Chinese officials have maintained that Bejing will have jurisdiction over “some extremely rare” national security cases in Hong Kong.

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Joshua said that those groups submitting reports on human rights backlashes to international bodies, testifying against police brutality and authoritarian rules on hearings, w face threat of imprisonment. He ded that Beijing’s move is aimed at cutting off ties of Hong Kong with world and punish all those who urge Beijing to uphold city’s freedoms to international standards.

Months-long protest

Hong Kong witnessed months-long violent pro-democracy protests against extrition which left city in turmoil before pandemic took over. city was handed over by Britain to China in 1997 under “One Country, Two Systems” agreement and Beijing agreed to provide higher automy to region, including legislative and judicial independence. 

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(Im: AP)