What's happened
Hong Kong authorities have issued arrest warrants and bounties for six pro-democracy activists, including Chloe Cheung, for violating national security laws. This marks the third round of such actions since 2023, intensifying the crackdown on dissent amid ongoing international criticism.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Independent reported that Hong Kong authorities have issued arrest warrants for six activists, including Chloe Cheung, who stated, "Fear cannot restrain me, and suppression cannot silence me." The Japan Times highlighted that the bounties are part of a broader crackdown on dissent, with Secretary for Security Chris Tang asserting that these individuals endangered national security. Human Rights Watch condemned the actions as a "cowardly act of intimidation," urging the UK and Canadian governments to protect their citizens from such threats. The Guardian noted that these bounties are largely symbolic, as they target individuals living in countries unlikely to extradite them, yet they serve to escalate the intimidation of pro-democracy advocates.
How we got here
The crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong intensified after the introduction of national security laws in 2020, following widespread protests in 2019. Many activists have since fled abroad, prompting the Hong Kong government to issue arrest warrants and bounties for those living overseas.
Common question
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Why has Hong Kong issued bounties on pro-democracy activists?
On December 24, 2024, Hong Kong authorities escalated their crackdown on dissent by announcing bounties of HK$1 million for six pro-democracy activists living abroad. This controversial move raises numerous questions about the implications for activists, the international community, and Hong Kong's reputation. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this significant development.
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Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is a metropolitan area and special administrative region of the People's Republic of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta of the South China Sea.
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Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization, headquartered in New York City, that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.
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Nathan Law Kwun-chung is an activist from Hong Kong. As a former student leader, he has been chairman of the Representative Council of the Lingnan University Students' Union, acting president of the LUSU, and secretary-general of the Hong Kong Federation
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Ted Hui Chi-fung is a Democratic Party politician in Hong Kong. He is the Chung Wan constituency member of the Central and Western District Council and the Legislative Councillor for the Hong Kong Island constituency.
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Tony Chung Hon-lam is a Hong Kong pro-independence activist. He was the founder and convenor of the localist student group Studentlocalism.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.