Activists’ passports revoked in Hong Kong crackdown

Hong Kong authorities have ramped up their campaign against 16 pro-democracy activists living overseas by cancelling most of their passports and cutting off financial support, according to Sky News via Associated Press on August 4th.

In July, arrest warrants were issued for each activist due to their suspected roles in Hong Kong’s Parliament. Officials introduced these new measures under Hong Kong’s national security law, which was enacted locally last year.

Out of the 16 activists, 12 had their Hong Kong passports revoked. The government has also banned anyone from giving them money, renting them property, or partnering with them in business. Breaching these restrictions may result in prison sentences of up to seven years.

Some of the activists targeted include journalists in countries such as the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand, and Taiwan.

Authorities say the activists continue to carry out activities that threaten national security and accuse them of trying to stir up hatred against Beijing and Hong Kong through smear campaigns.

“We therefore have taken such measures to make a significant impact,” officials cited.

This crackdown is linked to Beijing’s national security law, which was passed in 2020 after the large protests in 2019. Since this point, the law has been used to silence dissent, leading to arrests, jail time, and exile for numerous activists.

The recent measures have drawn strong criticism from the international community. The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union condemned the arrest warrants issued in July, which even included cash rewards of up to HK$1 million for information leading to arrests.

These developments come amid escalating global tensions, especially between the US and China, who reached an economic stalemate in May marked by mutual tariffs.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it “transnational repression,” and the UK’s Foreign and Home Secretaries condemned efforts to “coerce, intimidate, harass or harm” critics living abroad.

In contrast, China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong defended the crackdown, stating that the actions are lawful and and necessary to protect national security.

Sky News via Associated Press, Maghrebi.org