Over 10,000 kilometres of Pacific Ocean lie between Vancouver and Hong Kong, but that hasn’t discouraged officials of the China-controlled region from issuing bounties they hope will lead to the arrest of pro-democracy activists living in the Lower Mainland.
They are four of 19 activists living abroad who have been targeted by Hong Kong police for allegedly violating a national security law imposed by Beijing in the wake of mass protests in 2019.
Alan Keung Kawai says he was jailed for five months after publishing a book about the protests.
“The National Security Department Police [came] to my place to arrest me, just because I published a book.”
Police now accuse Keung Kawai and Victor Ho of participating in a subversive organization abroad — a group called Hong Kong Parliament, which consists of expatriats holding largely symbolic elections and advocating for democracy.
Ho says it’s the third time he’s had a bounty placed on him, and not only is he not afraid — he’s grateful for the free press.
“We have no fear. We are trying to do something right and good for Hong Kong people,” Ho said.
“We try our best to raise money to even put some advertisement on social media or newspaper, but finally we don’t have to do it, because the Hong Kong government uses their political influence to multiply and expand our influence. This is so good.”
The Canadian government decried the bounties, saying in a statement, “This attempt by Hong Kong authorities to conduct transnational repression abroad, including by issuing threats, intimidation, or coercion against Canadians or those in Canada, will not be tolerated.” It also reiterated its previous calls for Hong Kong to repeal the National Security Law under which it is attempting to prosecute these activists.
Ho says that, more than anything, the bounties are being used as a scare tactic.
“They try to use this bounty to scare other Hong Kong people, don’t support this Hong Kong Parliament, don’t help them to publicize their message, or don’t join them, or don’t participate in the election.”
Scare tactic or not, for as long as the arrest warrants are out, these activists may never be able to return home and see their families again, worried they may be jailed for life.
Source & photo: CityNews
