The arrest of a 90-year-old bishop and several other pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong is drawing criticism from Human Rights Watch. The advocates could potentially face life in prison and are currently barred from leaving Hong Kong.
According to a news release from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, five advocates were arrested between May 10 and May 12 by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force for their role with the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund. The release also noted that the ages of the people arrested ranged from 45 to the 90-year-old Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen, and they were accused of “suspected conspiracy” to work with a foreign country and engaging in professional misconduct.
“Hong Kong authorities haven’t just put Cardinal Zen, Margaret Ng, and others under arrest – they have put Hong Kong’s fundamental freedoms under arrest,” Maya Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. “Arresting a 90-year-old cardinal for his peaceful activities has to be a shocking new low for Hong Kong’s police, the latest example of the city’s human rights freefall in the past two years. Hong Kong was long a regional leader in openness and respect for the rule of law, but now it jostles for top spots in Asia for repression and political prisoners. Hong Kong people have been unequivocal in their demand for human rights, and governments around the globe should be unequivocal in their response to that call.”
In a news release, Human Rights Watch issued a call for Hong Kong to drop the charges against the pro-democracy supporters. Of the five people arrested, four have posted bail but cannot leave Hong Kong.
The release also noted that in addition to Cardinal Zen, others arrested include barrister Margaret Ng, 74; academic Hui Po-Keung, 62; singer and activist Denise Ho, 45; and former legislator Cyd Ho, 67. All of the protesters could face a life sentence if convicted, according to the release.
The Human Rights Watch noted on its website that Cardinal Zen has long championed human rights and democracy and has opposed an agreement permitting the Chinese government to select new bishops in China, a role the Vatican should handle. The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong also issued a statement about Cardinal Zen.
“The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong is extremely concerned about the condition and safety of Cardinal Joseph Zen and we are offering our special prayers for him,” the diocese said in the news release. “We have always upheld the rule of law. We trust that in the future we will continue enjoying religious freedom in Hong Kong under the Basic Law. We urge the Hong Kong Police and the judicial authorities to handle Cardinal Zen’s case in accordance with justice, taking into consideration our concrete human situation.”
Cardinal Zen, according to Vatican News, served as the bishop of Hong Kong from 2002 to 2009, and his arrest is being monitored by the Pope, Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni said in the publication.
