We, The 29 Principles, call on the international community to continue commemorating the Tiananmen Massacre and uphold the right to freedom of assembly and association.
The recent arrests under National Security Laws, including the Basic Law Article 23 in Hong Kong, mark the 1,000th day of the arbitrary detention of human rights lawyer Chow Hang Tung. Chow, a leader of the annual commemoration candlelight vigil, was charged with inciting others to participate in an unauthorised assembly in 2021. During her detention, eight of her family members, coworkers, friends, and supporters were also arrested for publishing social media content targeting “a sensitive date.” Their potential sentences range from seven to fourteen years.
We must unite to ensure that the sacrifices of the past are not forgotten and to support those who continue to champion human rights and democratic principles today.