Remarks by Attorney Li Ming-ju | Press Conference on the Upcoming One-Year Implementation of Hong Kong's Article 23 of the Basic Law

Hello everyone, I am Li Ming-ju, Deputy Executive Director of the Judicial Reform Foundation (JRF).

Since the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020, JRF has continuously monitored the impact of authoritarian rule on Hong Kong. We have paid particular attention to the case of Barrister Chow Hang-tung, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison on June 4, 2021, for allegedly promoting and calling on others online to participate in the June 4th commemoration. She was subsequently charged alongside Hong Kong Alliance Chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and Vice-Chairman Albert Ho with "inciting subversion of state power," and remains imprisoned to this day.

Last year, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong further passed the legislation of Article 23 in three readings under the guise of eradicating foreign forces to suppress democracy and freedom of speech in Hong Kong, and it is now approaching its one-year anniversary. Less than two months after its implementation last year, Hong Kong police arrested eight friends and relatives of Chow Hang-tung on charges including inciting hatred, simply because they posted June 4th-related information on Facebook. Yet, merely sharing personal thoughts and reflections can constitute the "offence with seditious intention," carrying a prison sentence of up to 7 years, or even up to 10 years if deemed to be in collusion with external forces, which is utterly unreasonable.

Through today's press conference, aside from once again calling upon the international community and Taiwanese society not to diminish their attention to Hong Kong's democratic regression, we also hope to let everyone know that:

Throughout the proceedings of these cases, Barrister Chow Hang-tung has acted as her own advocate, choosing to plead not guilty in the face of numerous criminal charges. Not only has she argued her case with reasoned persuasion, but she has also fought for every opportunity to present her statements in court.

Earlier this month, we finally witnessed a victory in the first case concerning the implementation rules of the National Security Law—namely, the case involving Chow Hang-tung's organization, the Hong Kong Alliance, refusing to surrender information, where the court ruled in favor of the defense, holding that there was insufficient evidence to show that a group like the Alliance was a foreign agent.

We hope everyone will join us in expressing support for the human rights workers who are still continuing their struggle.

Appendix

Winning Judgment in Attorney Chow Hang-tung's Case on Refusal to Disclose Information (Chinese Summary, Original Judgment)