Members of Working Group on the Global Influence of China and its Impact on Democracy issued a statement which strongly condemns the detention on February 28 of Hong Kong Labour Party Vice-Chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and former pro-democracy lawmaker Yeung Sum, for their involvement in allegedly illegal protest against a controversial extradition bill on August 31, 2019. Trial will be held on May 5, 2020.
The working group is functioning in the framework of the International Coalition for Democratic Renewal (ICDR) a Forum 2000 Foundation project, which is a global initiative of a group of intellectuals, activists and politicians concerned with the expansion of power and Influence of authoritarian regimes and the simultaneous weakening of democratic systems from within. The ICDR aims to reaffirm the fundamental principles of democracy, to take the offensive against the authoritarian opponents of democracy, and to demonstrate solidarity with the brave people who are fighting for freedom in undemocratic systems around the world.
Statement on the detention of Hong Kong Labour Party Vice-Chairman Lee Cheuk-yan
Issued by Working Group on the Global Influence of China and its Impact on Democracy of the International Coalition for Democratic Renewal (ICDR)
March 11, 2020
We strongly condemn the detention on February 28 of Hong Kong Labour Party Vice-Chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and former pro-democracy lawmaker Yeung Sum, for their involvement in allegedly illegal protest against a controversial extradition bill on August 31, 2019.
Their arrest, along with that of founder of Next Media and Apple Daily newspaper Jimmy Lai, who was detained on separate charges, has sparked condemnation worldwide. In a statement last week, senior members of the the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee observed that the latest round of detentions constituted a “steady erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy,” adding that “the Hong Kong government has been actively arresting and charging protesters and others who support Hong Kong’s autonomy.”
Beijing has responded by calling the expressions of concern “despicable” and defamatory towards the Hong Kong government and the police force, adding that it had “incriminating evidence” against the trio.
All three have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on May 5. Mr. Lee is also a member of the Working Group on the Global Influence of China and its Impact on Democracy within the International Coalition for Democratic Renewal (ICDR).
We condemn the arrest in the strongest terms possible and join a number of individuals and organizations worldwide in calling on Hong Kong authorities and the Chinese government to cease all legal action and detentions against peaceful protesters in Hong Kong. We call on Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to respect the rights of Hong Kong residents to express their desire to defend the legal framework, freedoms and way of life which have been undeniably eroded in recent years.
