CALD Statement No. 9, S. 2020

CALD Statement 9, S. 2020

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) strongly condemns the arrests of 16 people on 26 August including Lam Cheuk-ting and Ted Hui Chi-fung, Legislative Council Members from the Democratic Party of Hong Kong. Hui is an active member of CALD Youth and a regular attendee of CALD events, while Lam attended CALD events in Hong Kong in the past.

Lam is accused of rioting when protesters were violently attacked by masked men in Yuen Long train station in July 2019. At least 45 people were severely injured during the incident including Lam, who was hit in the head and mouth. For over a year, Lam was widely seen as a victim of the Yuen Long clashes. Today, the police turned the victim into an accused and this has caused an uproar in the community, throwing into grave doubt the rule of law. Both Lam and Hui are accused of obstruction of justice.

We in CALD view these arrests as nothing but political harassment and intimidation. Pro-democracy personalities who were protesting since the extradition bill was introduced last year have been arrested, one after the other, after the China-imposed National Security Law was implemented on June 30. The questionable arrests reinforce claims that China has been reneging on its two-systems promise, undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy guaranteed under its Basic Law.

CALD calls on the Hong Kong administration to stop these gross violations of democratic rights and ensure that the Hong Kongers’ fundamental rights are respected and protected.

CALD urges the international community to express solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and not turn a blind eye to the repressive actions that continue to silence dissent and curtail freedom and human rights.

For the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats:

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (sgd.)

Chairperson

27 August 2020