CALD Statement No. 6, S. 2020

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) condemns in strongest terms the imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong. The drafting and passage of the law, without the Hong Kong people’s participation, clearly undermines the “One Country, Two Systems” and presents an alarming precedence on future state of affairs of the autonomous region.

The law came into full effect on the night of 30 June, a day before the celebration of the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from British rule to China. A few hours later, the world already witnessed the first arrests of peaceful protesters who, since the handover, have been guaranteed civil and political rights under the Basic Law of Hong Kong. Included in the arrests is Legislative Councilor Andew Wan, a member of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong and an active participant in CALD.

As a result of the Chinese central government’s expanded power to investigate and penalize dissenters, progressive political organizations started closing down their operations while activists, more than before, are facing greater threats of having their civil liberties curtailed.

CALD reiterates its call for China to respect and uphold the guiding principles enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong’s Basic Law, without which political tensions will continue to escalate at the expense of Hong Kong’s future. We call on the Carrie Lam administration to listen to the people and provide inclusive policies that safeguard Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms.

CALD expresses solidarity with CALD Individual Members Martin Lee, Sin Chun-kai, Emily Lau, and the Democratic Party of Hong Kong in their fight to strengthen democracy and achieve prosperity in Hong Kong. CALD also calls for the immediate release of protesters who were peacefully exercising their rights to congregate and express their political positions freely.

The Hong Kong people are not remaining silent and are fighting back in the face of continuous blatant attacks against their fundamental freedoms. The members of the international community should not leave them alone in this fight.

CALD strongly urges the international community to stand in unity with the people of Hong Kong, and to continue defending the fundamental rights and freedoms of its people. The Hong Kong people deserve nothing less.

For the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats: