In a chilling escalation of Hong Kong’s ongoing crackdown on dissent, authorities have announced bounties of HK$1 million (approximately £105,000) for information leading to the arrest of six pro-democracy activists based overseas. The activists, who fled Hong Kong following the massive protests in 2019, are accused of violating the city’s sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020.
The bounties mark the third time Hong Kong police have offered rewards for the capture of alleged national security offenders living abroad. This latest move is seen as largely symbolic, given that the targeted individuals reside in countries unlikely to extradite political activists to Hong Kong or China. However, it sends a stark message about the lengths to which authorities are willing to go to stifle opposition voices, even beyond Hong Kong’s borders.
Activists Targeted and Passports Revoked
Among the six activists targeted by the new bounties, five are accused of inciting secession and colluding with foreign forces, while one faces subversion charges. The wanted individuals range in age from 29-year-old former district councilor Carmen Lau to 69-year-old YouTuber Victor Ho Leung-mau.
In addition to the bounties, Hong Kong authorities announced they would cancel the passports of seven other activists, including former lawmakers Ted Hui and Dennis Kwok, for whom bounties had previously been issued. This move effectively renders these individuals stateless and restricts their ability to travel internationally.
“I just learned that I am now a wanted Hong Konger,” Lau wrote on Twitter. “In 2019, [I] was not afraid of tear gas and bullets, and now I do not and will not back down only because of an arrest warrant and a bounty.”
– Carmen Lau, former district councilor targeted by bounty
International Condemnation and China’s Response
The bounties have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and Western governments. Human Rights Watch denounced the move as a “cowardly act of intimidation” and called on the UK and Canadian governments to push back against attempts to threaten Hong Kongers living in their countries.
China, however, has defended Hong Kong’s actions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China supports Hong Kong “performing its duties in accordance with the law” and emphasized that “no one has extrajudicial privileges” in the city.
Quashing Dissent Under National Security Law
The bounties are just the latest in a series of measures aimed at quelling political opposition in Hong Kong since the implementation of the national security law. The law, which criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, has been used to arrest and prosecute numerous pro-democracy activists, lawmakers, and journalists.
Many opposition figures have fled Hong Kong, seeking refuge in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia. However, the bounties demonstrate that even those who have left the city are not beyond the reach of Hong Kong authorities.
The Future of Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Movement
As the crackdown on dissent intensifies, questions arise about the future of Hong Kong’s once-vibrant pro-democracy movement. With leading activists either in jail or exile, and the threat of persecution looming over those who speak out, the space for political opposition in the city has dramatically shrunk.
Yet, despite the increasingly hostile environment, activists like Carmen Lau remain defiant in the face of threats and bounties. Their resolve serves as a reminder that the fight for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong is far from over, even as the challenges grow more daunting.
As the international community grapples with how to respond to the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and the targeting of activists abroad, one thing is clear: the city’s pro-democracy movement, though battered and bruised, refuses to be silenced. The road ahead may be uncertain, but the spirit of resistance that animated the 2019 protests lives on, even in exile.
