Hong Kong Government Targets Pro-Democracy Activists Abroad with Arrest Warrants

The Hong Kong police have escalated their pursuit of six pro-democracy activists living abroad, offering substantial rewards in a move condemned by human rights groups.

Hong Kong's police force has announced a controversial bounty of HK$1 million (approximately £103,000 or $129,000) targeting six activists currently residing in the UK and Canada. This move is part of a broader crackdown on dissent under the city’s stringent National Security Law, enacted in 2020 following widespread protests. Among those being sought is Tony Chung, who was the former leader of a pro-independence group and fled to the UK last year after facing legal repercussions back home.

The wanted list includes high-profile figures such as former district councillor Carmen Lau, activist Chloe Cheung, political commentator Chung Kim-wah, and others like former actor Joseph Tay and YouTuber Victor Ho, the latter of whom has been charged with subversion. All these individuals are accused of violating the national security law by allegedly inciting secession and seeking foreign intervention against Hong Kong.

Human Rights Watch condemned the latest warrants as "a cowardly act of intimidation" aimed at silencing pro-democracy voices, urging both the UK and Canadian governments to take a stand against these measures. Carmen Lau, based in the UK, has vowed that such actions will not deter her advocacy for democracy in Hong Kong, calling for international sanctions on those responsible for human rights abuses.

Chung, who has been vocal about his past convictions under the national security law, expressed that he anticipated such a crackdown after choosing to leave Hong Kong. He stated on social media that his decision was made with full awareness of the consequences of his actions. Meanwhile, there have been mixed signals concerning a proposed Chinese embassy expansion in London, as local councillors have pushed back against potential plans but lack the ultimate authority to block it.

This marks the third round of arrest warrants since the law's implementation, following previous actions targeting prominent activists. The Chinese government has openly supported Hong Kong's law enforcement, asserting its commitment to maintaining order. Critics argue that the national security law has diminished Hong Kong’s autonomy and curbed fundamental freedoms, raising fears over the safety of activists in exile.