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Activists denied entry to HK, freedom of expression & assembly restricted |
Wed, 06/03/2009 - 20:37 — amnesty
Published on June 03, 2009 16:00 Hong Kong time
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ahead of the twentieth anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen protests, Amnesty International Hong Kong is alarmed at the news that an increasing number of human rights defenders in China have been vocal and active in showing their sentiments surrounding the June 4 events have been arrested, or have had their movements restricted by the Central Government.
Here in Hong Kong, activists coming from abroad planning to participate in activities commemorating the June 4 anniversary have been denied entry, giving rise to concerns on restrictions on freedom of expression. More alarming however, is the fact that even Chinese activists who have been part of the events we are remembering, and who have come to Hong Kong—part of their home country—to participate in the commemoration activities, have been denied entry as well.
On June 2, Xiang Xiaoji, a student leader of the 1989 peaceful demonstration in Tiananmen Square was refused entry at the airport. Mr. Xiang visited Hong Kong in 1999 for a seminar and at that time could freely enter the territory. The lack of reason behind the immigration authorities’ decisions to bar him from entering Hong Kong at this time heightens fears that the authorities are arbitrarily exercising its powers. And more disturbing are the signs that freedom of expression, a right highly treasured in this territory, is being restricted, if not violated.
Mr. Xiang is a survivor and eyewitness of the Tiananmen crackdown. His testimony would help uncover the truth of the historical Tiananmen crackdown, for which much distortions and debates have taken place in recent years. If Mr. Xiang were allowed to enter Hong Kong and participate in the June 4 anniversary activities, it would enable more people to understand the incident from different perspectives.
The failure to provide any reasonable explanations for the denial of entry would only raise more fears and speculations that the Hong Kong government is arbitrarily restricting people’s freedom of expression, association and assembly.
For enquiries, please contact:
Clara Law
Campaign Manager
+852 2300-1250
claw@amnesty.org.hk
locale_link:
http://www.amnesty.org.hk/chi/node/20205
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ahead of the twentieth anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen protests, Amnesty International Hong Kong is alarmed at the news that an increasing number of human rights defenders in China have been vocal and active in showing their sentiments surrounding the June 4 events have been arrested, or have had their movements restricted by the Central Government.
Here in Hong Kong, activists coming from abroad planning to participate in activities commemorating the June 4 anniversary have been denied entry, giving rise to concerns on restrictions on freedom of expression. More alarming however, is the fact that even Chinese activists who have been part of the events we are remembering, and who have come to Hong Kong—part of their home country—to participate in the commemoration activities, have been denied entry as well.
On June 2, Xiang Xiaoji, a student leader of the 1989 peaceful demonstration in Tiananmen Square was refused entry at the airport. Mr. Xiang visited Hong Kong in 1999 for a seminar and at that time could freely enter the territory. The lack of reason behind the immigration authorities’ decisions to bar him from entering Hong Kong at this time heightens fears that the authorities are arbitrarily exercising its powers. And more disturbing are the signs that freedom of expression, a right highly treasured in this territory, is being restricted, if not violated.
Mr. Xiang is a survivor and eyewitness of the Tiananmen crackdown. His testimony would help uncover the truth of the historical Tiananmen crackdown, for which much distortions and debates have taken place in recent years. If Mr. Xiang were allowed to enter Hong Kong and participate in the June 4 anniversary activities, it would enable more people to understand the incident from different perspectives.
The failure to provide any reasonable explanations for the denial of entry would only raise more fears and speculations that the Hong Kong government is arbitrarily restricting people’s freedom of expression, association and assembly.
For enquiries, please contact:
Clara Law
Campaign Manager
+852 2300-1250
claw@amnesty.org.hk
Created:03/06/2009