Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists Granted Asylum Abroad
Two prominent pro-democracy figures from Hong Kong, facing legal persecution in their home city, have been granted asylum in Australia and the United Kingdom. Tony Chung, a former activist imprisoned under Hong Kong’s national security law, and Ted Hui, a former legislator involved in the 2019 anti-government protests, announced over the weekend that they have been granted refugee protection in their respective host countries.
Both individuals are part of a growing group of activists fleeing Hong Kong amid a crackdown on dissent. Since the imposition of the national security law by Beijing in 2020, civil liberties in the former British colony have been sharply curtailed. The law criminalizes acts deemed as secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with foreign forces. While Chinese and Hong Kong authorities claim the law has brought stability, it has also effectively silenced political opposition and restricted freedoms that were previously protected.
Ted Hui Finds Safety in Australia
Ted Hui, who left Hong Kong in December 2020, has been targeted with police bounties reaching up to HK$1 million (approximately $128,000 USD). After living abroad, Hui and his family have been granted protection visas in Australia. He now resides in Adelaide and continues his professional career as a lawyer.
In a social media post, Hui expressed gratitude to the Australian government, acknowledging their support in providing safety for him and his family. “This decision reflects values of freedom, justice, and compassion that my family will never take for granted,” he wrote.
During his time in Hong Kong, Hui was known for his outspoken pro-democracy stance. Among his notable acts of protest was disrupting a legislative session by throwing a rotten plant in the chamber, aiming to halt debate on the controversial national anthem bill, which criminalized insulting the Chinese national anthem. He was subsequently fined HK$52,000 (around $6,600 USD) for the incident.
Tony Chung Granted Refuge in the UK
Tony Chung, an advocate for Hong Kong independence, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison in 2020 on charges of secession and money laundering. After his release under a supervision order, Chung traveled to Japan before seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. Over the weekend, he announced on social media that he had been granted refugee status and a five-year residency permit in Britain.
Chung shared that despite ongoing challenges, including mental health struggles stemming from his imprisonment and activism, he remains committed to his political advocacy.
International and Hong Kong Responses
Neither the British nor Australian authorities immediately provided official comments on the asylum grants. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government issued a statement condemning the sheltering of what it described as criminals, asserting that such actions show “contempt for the rule of law” and interfere in Hong Kong’s internal affairs.
The cases of Chung and Hui highlight the increasingly fraught political climate in Hong Kong, as well as the willingness of foreign governments to offer protection to individuals facing persecution for pro-democracy activities. These developments underscore the broader implications of Beijing’s national security law and its impact on the city’s political landscape.
