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IBA responds to alleged Hong Kong intimidation and human rights violations
The International Bar Association has sent a clear message to the global community in response to the alleged intimidation of a British citizen by Hong Kong authorities.
Naomi Neilson
In yet another example of the “deterioration” of human rights in Hong Kong, founder of non-governmental organisation Hong Kong Watch Benedict Rogers received a notice from the National Security Bureau and Hong Kong Police ordering the immediate removal of the website as it “posed a threat to China’s national security”.
In response, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has called on the global community to suspend extradition treaties with Hong Kong. Although some countries have already done so, including Australia, there are many more that have not, including South Korea, Singapore, Czech Republic and India.
Co-chair Mark Stephens CBE said the letter to Mr Rogers was “yet another glaring example” of how China’s authorities are making it difficult for human rights advocates to both “investigate and expose” any violations across Hong Kong.
“Such threats aim to silence the voices of human rights defenders and chill the intentions of others. The IBAHRI condemns the intimidation of the much-respected Hong Kong Watch,” Mr Stephens said. “If we do not stand up for human rights defenders now, and protect them from such attacks, including by suspending extradition treaties, there will not be many defenders left.”
The letter stated that a criminal investigation had been carried out on Mr Rogers and the Hong Kong Watch website, which found there had been activities that “seriously interfered” with the affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR) and jeopardised its national security.
The bureau added that the website “lobbied foreign countries to impose sanctions or blockades and engaged in other hostile activities against the People’s Republic of China or the HKSAR, and seriously disrupted the formulation … of laws and policies”.
More than 160 people have been arrested and over 50 civil society organisations have been forced to close in Hong Kong since the National Security Law was enacted in June 2020. The law marks a continuation of the so-called “709 crackdown” on human rights lawyers and defenders, ongoing since July 2015.
IBAHRI co-chair and past secretary-general of the Swedish Bar Association Anne Ramberg Dr Jur hc said the past few years has seen a “significant deterioration” of human rights in Hong Kong as China’s “grip on the city tightens”.
“The situation needs to be monitored, and human rights defenders must be able to do this important work without constant threats of imprisonment. It is hugely concerning that the National Security Law is being used to silence human rights defenders not only in Hong Kong, but also outside of the jurisdiction.
“The IBAHRI calls for the international community to suspend extradition treaties with Hong Kong to protect those attempting to protect human rights,” she said.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
