"Human rights activists and lawyers in China have developed established methods to combat authoritarianism. They have shown unwavering determination in the face of high-pressure political environments." - Chakra Ip, Executive Director
July 1st, 2023 marked the third anniversary since the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong. The July 1st protest holds great symbolic significance for the people of Hong Kong. Unfortunately, Hong Kongers in exile can only organise activities and demonstrations overseas to oppose the Chinese Communist Party's suppression of Hong Kong.
The “Defenders in the Courtroom" exhibition showcases the resilience of Hong Kong and Chinese lawyers who continue to stand up against repression. Lawyers who represented the 12 Hong Kongers are still being harassed by the Chinese Communist Party and even face job insecurity. The resurgence of the 709 Crackdown 2.0 in 2023 resulted in lawyers being forced to leave their rented apartments and experiencing water and power cuts. Some were even rearrested and prosecuted after being released from prison.
In Hong Kong, the slogan "End One-Party Rule" has become a sensitive term since the implementation of the National Security Law. Human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung has been deprived of her freedom for nearly two years since September 2021 due to her involvement in the Hong Kong Alliance case. However, she has not given up her resistance in prison and in the courtroom. Lawyers inside the courtroom, under the control of the Chinese Communist Party, often need tremendous willpower and determination to resist the powerful suppression. The protesters inside the courtroom are at the forefront of the fight against the authoritarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party.
The 29 Principles is organising the opening ceremony of the “Defenders in the Courtroom" exhibition, and we have invited Mr. Zhou Fengsuo, the Executive Director of Humanitarian China and former student leader, Ms. Huang Manting, Secretary-General of the New School of Democracy, Mr. Hsiao I-Min, Director of Resource Development Department at the Civil Justice Reform Foundation, and Chinese lawyer Mr. Li Fangping, who is currently in exile in the United States, to participate in the opening ceremony.
Chakra Ip, the Executive Director of The 29 Principles, introduced the purpose of the exhibition in her opening speech: "We often hear that Hong Kongers in exile feel lost when facing authoritarian rule because many fear being targeted or arrested by the Chinese Communist regime. However, human rights activists and lawyers in China have developed established methods to combat authoritarianism. They have shown unwavering determination in the face of high-pressure political environments. By watching the documentary '709 Companions,' we can understand the persistence of Chinese and Hong Kong human rights lawyers in their resistance against the Chinese Communist Party. We hope to inspire Hong Kongers to defend human rights and show support for those inside “the Great Firewall."
After the documentary screening, Zhou Fengsuo expressed, "It's very touching. I know many of the interviewees in the documentary. A lot has happened in the past four years. Four years ago, I was violently apprehended at the Hong Kong airport and expelled. Today, as we commemorate the Anti-Extradition Bill movement, we all share the common goals of pursuing democracy, human rights, and freedom, and we have a common enemy. Rebels are like moths flying into the fire, and it is rare to witness the spirit of resistance."
"When assessing the state of the rule of law in Hong Kong, it has become very similar to China in several aspects. Firstly, the National Security Law bypasses popular authorisation. Any important legislation should go through a democratic process that involves consulting and understanding public opinion, but the National Security Law in Hong Kong circumvented that. Secondly, the appointment of judges under the National Security Law is highly likely to be influenced by political factors, creating a rift in the judicial system. Thirdly, detainees related to national security find it difficult to obtain bail." Lawyer Li Fangping shared his views on the independence of the Hong Kong judiciary.
Before concluding the event, Chakra Ip, the Executive Director of The 29 Principles, called on Hong Kongers to send individual letters to the Hong Kong government, demanding the release of human rights lawyers and political prisoners. She also urged them to send letters to the Correctional Services Department, advocating for better treatment of inmates and detainees. Wong Man-ting added that although Mr. Lee Ming-che from Taiwan couldn't receive every letter during his imprisonment in China, the prison authorities informed him that many people had written to him, putting some pressure on the authorities.