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Scores of Hong Kong politicians and former lawmakers reportedly arrested under the National Security Law in relation to last yearβs democratic primary election: https://www.facebook.com/2317436205144840/posts/2796243630597426/?d=n
China's Liaison Office had threatened at the time that the primary might be deemed illegal under the then weeks old national security law. At the time of the vote, primary elections were still being held for the US election that just finished: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/13/asia/hong-kong-election-security-law-intl-hnk/index.html
Holding primaries or other arrangements to avoid splitting the vote in future polls is a basic feature of many democracies. Hong Kong held just such an election in 2018 with no incident: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2128188/more-10300-hong-kong-voters-primary-pro-democracy-camp
"Elections are a very serious and solemn matter," HKCE Carrie Lam said at the time. "People have to uphold their right to be able to cast a vote in an election which is open, fair and honest."
This was just as multiple candidates were being disqualified for their views.
This was just as multiple candidates were being disqualified for their views.
And here's Lam this year:
"Every time there are quarrels in society, in fact people pay a hefty price. That is why for 2021, my biggest hope is for society to have harmony. So that the SAR government, and other public bodies, have more room to do concrete things for Hong Kong."
"Every time there are quarrels in society, in fact people pay a hefty price. That is why for 2021, my biggest hope is for society to have harmony. So that the SAR government, and other public bodies, have more room to do concrete things for Hong Kong."
@wang_maya: arrests remove "remaining veneer of democracy in the city. Beijing once again has failed to learn from its mistakes in Hong Kong: that repression generates resistance, and that millions of Hong Kong people will persist in their struggle for their right to vote."
Former lawmaker Emily Lau described the arrests as "disgraceful and ridiculous."
"This is a blatant attempt to intimidate pro democracy activists and warn people not to engage in politics and collaboration." https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/05/asia/hong-kong-national-security-law-intl-hnk/index.html
"This is a blatant attempt to intimidate pro democracy activists and warn people not to engage in politics and collaboration." https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/05/asia/hong-kong-national-security-law-intl-hnk/index.html
In a live video of his arrest recorded by district councilor and activist Ng Kin-wei, an officer can be heard telling Ng he is being arrested "for the crime of subverting state power." https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=313958909943192&ref=watch_permalink
"You were part of the '35+' primary elections ... with the goal of vetoing all government budget policies and motions in order to force the Chief Executive to resign (thus) seriously interfering with and obstructing the lawful responsibilities of the government."
Under the national security law, someone convicted of subversion "of a grave nature" can face life imprisonment or a fixed-term imprisonment of not less than 10 years, while others can face between three and 10 years in prison.
