Hong Kong jailed my dad to stop me speaking out, says activist

8 hours ago

Anna Kwok's father was sentenced to eight months in prison for a national security violation, marking the first case involving a family member of a wanted activist abroad.
Critics view the conviction as part of Hong Kong's expanding pressure campaign on overseas political activists, resembling mainland China's repression tactics.
Kwok, a pro-democracy activist, is among 34 individuals wanted by Hong Kong's national security police, accused of colluding with foreign forces.
The Hong Kong government denies targeting individuals based on political stance, stating actions are law-based and necessary for stability.
Families of overseas activists, including those friendly to Beijing, have been questioned or intimidated, signaling a broader strategy to suppress dissent.
Activists abroad report various forms of intimidation, including bounties and fake images, aimed at silencing their advocacy.
The 2019 pro-democracy protests led to the introduction of Hong Kong's national security law, criticized for criminalizing activism and stifling civil society.
Experts argue that Hong Kong's legal actions against activists, including issuing bounties for non-violent advocates, violate international human rights standards.
Despite government efforts to silence them, activists like Anna Kwok continue to speak out, emphasizing the importance of persistence in the face of repression.

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