八月電子報（只有英文版）

 Human Rights Lawyers in China 

Ambassadors showed solidarity with Chang Weiping

Having been detained for 21 months for the charge of “subversion of state power”, Chinese human rights lawyer Chang Weiping’s case was finally tried by the Fengxian People’s Court on 26 July 2022. Yet the trial was tried behind closed doors and no one, including his family and friends, was allowed to attend the trial. The trial attracted international attention as ambassadors to China, including those from the UK, Germany, France, the US and Switzerland, showed solidarity with Chang on social media.

Chang was arrested after attending a gathering with other human rights defenders in Xiamen in early December 2019. A video introduction to Chang Weiping is now available on our YouTube channel.

Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi tried behind closed doors, pending verdict

Chinese legal scholar Xu Zhiyong and human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi have been detained since 2021 for the charge of “subversion of state power.” Having been detained for more than two years, Xu and Ding were tried separately behind closed doors on 22 and 24 June respectively at the Linshu County Court in Shandong province. As with Chang Weiping, Xu and Ding were detained after attending a gathering of human rights defenders in Xiamen in early December 2019.

Lawyers barred from representing human rights lawyer Tang Jitian

Since 10 Dec 2021, human rights lawyer Tang Jitian has been subjected to enforced disappearance and the authority refuses to disclose his whereabouts. It is believed that he has been subjected to torture and inhumane treatment during detention leading to serious concerns about his health. On 19 August, The 29 Principles learnt that lawyers Huang Hanzhong and Zhao Sen have been barred from representing Tang amid pressure from the Bureau of Justice.

 Human Rights Lawyers in Hong Kong 

Chow Hang-tung’s landmark victory in her judicial review

On 2 August, Hong Kong Barrister Chow Hang Tung, who has been detained and is charged with “inciting subversion of state power”, won a judicial review challenging the court’s decision to prohibit reporting of the committal proceedings of her trial. The landmark victory lifted the reporting ban in her trial and the trials of the other 47 pro-democracy activists and lawmakers, who are charged with “conspiracy to subversion” for organising an unofficial primary election.

Albert Ho Chun-yan granted bail after 15 months in prison

Albert Ho Chun-yan, a solicitor and a prominent pro-democracy leader facing an “inciting subversion of state power” charge, was finally granted bail on 22 August after serving a jail sentence since May 2021 for “organising and inciting others to take part in an illegal assembly.” He appears to have lost weight and there are concerns about his health as he was diagnosed with lung cancer six years ago.

Like other national security defendants, his bail is subject to stricter conditions, including restrictions on speaking publicly or in the media on issues that might endanger national security and a prohibition against meeting foreign officials.

Defenders of 47 Democrats National Security case will face non-jury trial

In an interview early this month, the new Secretary for Justice, Paul Lam Ting-kwok, admitted that the public’s concern over a delay in the prosecution of 47 democrats arrested under NSL is “legitimate” and has promised to act on the issue. However, he insisted the proceedings so far have not been exceptionally lengthy. As of today, 32 defendants, including the legal scholar Benny Tai Yiu-ting, barristers Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu and Lawrence Lau Wai-chung, have been detained for more than 17 months.

Notably, it is reported that Paul Lam has ordered a non-jury trial in the case, citing “involvement of foreign elements”, “personal safety of jurors and their family members” and a “risk of perverting the course of justice if the trial is conducted with a jury” as all reasons for denying a jury trial. The preparatory hearings will be conducted before a panel of 3 designated national security law judges in September and November.