Statement from Hong Kong Watch Following the Arrests of Cardinal Joseph Zen, along with the lawyer Margaret Ng and three other Trustees of the Humanitarian Relief Fund. Today’s arrests signal without a doubt that Beijing intends to intensify its crackdown on basic rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.

May 11, 2022 | News

Cardinal Joseph Zen
Margaret Ng

Statement from Hong Kong Watch Following the Arrests of Cardinal Joseph Zen, along with the lawyer Margaret Ng, and three other Trustees of the Humanitarian Relief Fund.

Today’s arrests signal without a doubt that Beijing intends to intensify its crackdown on basic rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.

 

Today, the National Security Police arrested four trustees of the defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, including barrister Margaret Ng, singer Denise Ho, Cardinal Joseph Zen, and academic scholar Hui Po-keung, for “collusion with foreign forces”.

The 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, which funded legal aid to pro-democracy protestors throughout the 2019 pro-democracy movement, closed its operations in 2021.

Hui Po-keung, who is an academic scholar, was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport as he attempted to leave the city.

Commenting on the arrests, Benedict Rogers, Hong Kong Watch’s Chief Executive, said:

“We condemn the arrests of these activists whose supposed crime was funding legal aid for pro-democracy protestors back in 2019.

“Today’s arrests signal beyond a doubt that Beijing intends to intensify its crackdown on basic rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.

“We urge the international community to shine a light on this brutal crackdown and call for the immediate release of these activists.”

Lord Alton of Liverpool, a Patron of Hong Kong Watch, today tabled a question in Parliament about these acts and contacted the UK’s Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss. He said:

 “Arresting a 90 year-old Cardinal, along with one of Hong Kong’s most internationally respected barristers, a popular singer and a prominent scholar takes the Chinese Communist Party regime and its proxies in Hong Kong to even lower depths of outrageous inhumanity in their repression of dissent in the city.

“The international community must speak swiftly and clearly in condemnation of these arrests, and must accompany rhetoric with action to signal that Beijing will no longer be allowed to act with impunity and get away with such egregious injustice without consequence.”

Hong Kong Watch’s US Patron and former US Ambassador-at-Large Sam Brownback has called for sanctions on China’s leadership. He said:

“This is horrible and truly unbelievable. The Chinese Communist Party has sunk to a new low. It is outrageous. China’s leadership should be sanctioned immediately for their wanton disregard of the rule of law and basic civil liberties.”

Hong Kong police arrest 90-year-old cardinal on foreign collusion charges – The Washington Post The Washington Post Cardinal Zen, who was once bishop of Hong Kong, is one of the most prominent pro-democracy activists from the Catholic Church. Facebook Twitter
Hong Kong national security police arrest Cardinal Joseph Zen – The Guardian The Guardian Hong Kong’s national security police have arrested 90-year-old Cardinal Joseph Zen, one of Asia’s most senior and outspoken Catholic clerics, … Facebook Twitter
Hong Kong arrests pro-democracy cardinal, singer and two others, reports say – Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Reports say outspoken Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong has been arrested under a draconian national security law imposed by … Facebook Twitter
Reports: Hong Kong arrests Roman Catholic cardinal, 3 others – The Durango Herald The Durango Herald HONG KONG (AP) – Hong Kong authorities arrested a Roman Catholic cardinal, a singer and two others on Wednesday on suspicion of colluding with … Facebook Twitter
Reports: Hong Kong arrests Roman Catholic cardinal, others – Toronto Star Toronto Star HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong authorities arrested a Roman Catholic cardinal, a singer and at least two others on Wednesday on suspicion of colluding … Facebook Twitter
Cardinal Joseph Zen arrested and detained in Hong Kong | America Magazine America Magazine The 90-year-old cardinal has been an outspoken defender of human rights and democracy in Hong Kong and strongly critical of Beijing for its … Facebook Twitter Flag as irrelevant
Reports: Hong Kong arrests Roman Catholic cardinal, 3 others – The Columbian The Columbian HONG KONGHong Kong authorities arrested a Roman Catholic cardinal, a singer and two others on Wednesday on suspicion of colluding with foreign … Facebook Twitter
Report: Former Hong Kong Bishop Cardinal Zen Arrested – National Catholic Register National Catholic Register The 90-year-old former bishop of Hong Kong was reportedly detained in his role as a trustee of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund. Facebook Twitter
Hong Kong arrests Roman Catholic cardinal in crackdown on ‘basic rights’ | Fox News Fox News Hong Kong police arrested a Roman Catholic cardinal and several others accused of colluding with foreign forces on Wednesday. Facebook Twitter
Why Nio, Other EV Peers Are Soaring In Hong Kong Today – Benzinga Benzinga traded significantly higher in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning. How Nio, Xpeng, Li Auto Are Faring In Hong Kong Today. Stocks, Movement (+/-) … Facebook Twitter

Lord David Alton

For 18 years David Alton was a Member of the House of Commons and today he is an Independent Crossbench Life Peer in the UK House of Lords.

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