The Hong Kong authorities have cancelled the passports of six “fugitive” self-exiled activists in the UK, including Nathan Law, exercising new powers under a recently-enacted security law for the first time.
Under the locally legislated Article 23 security law, the security chief also applied the special measures against Christopher Mung, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng, Johnny Fok and Tony Choi. The six were among 13 overseas Hongkongers issued with arrest warrants last July and December over alleged national security offences, with a HK$1 million bounty on each of their heads.
“These lawless wanted criminals are hiding in the United Kingdom and continue to blatantly engage in activities that endanger national security,” a government spokesperson said in a Wednesday press release. “They also make scaremongering remarks to smear and slander the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. More so, they continue to collude with external forces to protect their evil deeds. We therefore have taken such measure to give them a strong blow.”
See also: Article 23: Hong Kong proposes cancelling ‘absconders’ passports under new security law
All six will have any business dealings in Hong Kong cancelled, and it will be unlawful to provide them with funds, financial assets, handle their economic resources, or have property dealings. “Funds” covers gold coins, cash, cheques, stocks and shares, deposits with financial institutions and dividends from property.
Some of the activists are active on Patreon, a fundraising platform where supporters can donate to their work.
Those who breach the ban on provision of funds to someone identified by the authorities as an “absconder” could face up to seven years behind bars.
People are also barred from establishing or investing in a joint venture or partnership with absconders, with violators facing a maximum penalty of seven years behind bars.
According to Article 23, the secretary for security may declare an individual charged under the proposed security legislation as an absconder if they have been issued an arrest warrant for at least six months, they have not appeared in front of a magistrate, and if the security chief “reasonably believes” the person is not in Hong Kong.
In response to the passport cancellations, UK-activist Lau tweeted that he only held a British National (Overseas) passport and had never owned, nor applied for, a Hong Kong passport: “It is ridiculous to cancel something that never exists.”
Separate to the 2020 Beijing-enacted security law, the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of to up to 16 days, and suspects’ access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city’s opposition-free legislature.
The law has been criticised by rights NGOs, Western states and the UN as vague, broad and “regressive.” Authorities, however, cited perceived foreign interference and a constitutional duty to “close loopholes” after the 2019 protests and unrest.
HKFP has reached out to the UK authorities for comment.
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
