Max Zhang’s Post

Another terrible blow to democracy and human rights in Hong Kong. Today, 14 (out of 16) pro-democracy activists were found guilty of subversion by the Hong Kong court. The case is known as the trial of 'Hong Kong 47' as initially, 47 activists were charged. Their crime? Organising and taking part in an unofficial pre-election primaries in 2020! They include one organiser and 13 candidates, most of them former politicians. It is the largest single prosecution case under a draconian national security law that China imposed after last year's mass anti-government protests. I had the privilege of meeting many brave Hong Kong activists in London through The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. As the crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong continues, this case is yet another reason to support those who continue to oppose it, in Hong Kong and outside of it. #democracy #humanrights #HongKong #opression #China #nationalsecurity https://lnkd.in/gWVK2VWP

Discussed the possible verdicts with various people, including lawyers and academics, before the hearing. As expected, not all the defendants would be convicted. It seems to be a tactic to show that the court did consider the "evidence" before making its decisions. However, the whole trial was simply a farce. The so-called "evidence" would be only about how these people organized a primary among the pro-democracy folks. So, that was any kind of "conspiracy" to "subvert" this authoritarian regime and that can be claimed to be related to "national security"? It's just a political trial and it's only a case of cracking down of freedom of expression. Period. Shame on the Hong Kong courts and the Hong Kong government. Shame on CCP China. Shame on those who turn a blind eye or support this evil regime. https://lnkd.in/gzA4haU6

Today, a Hong Kong court has sentenced 45 prominent democracy activists to jail terms from 4 years and 2 months to 10 years. None of them should have ever been charged to begin with, let alone now face lengthy prison sentences. Running an election, and trying to win it, is now a crime in Hong Kong. It is a sad reflection of how Hong Kong's legal system has been weaponised to trample on human rights. The National Security Law, Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, along with other laws and policies, have had a devastating impact on the rule of law in Hong Kong. This is the new normal of Hong Kong's legal system. There is not a "good story" to tell. #China #HongKong #humanrights

Who is #jimmylai and why does his trial matter? Research Analyst Max Dixon from the #asiapacific desk looks at why the pro-democracy media moguls arrest and trial have significant implications for the freedom of #hongkong's media and judiciary. To read more, click here: https://lnkd.in/ezursVxp #china #freespeech #democracy #sovereignty #freemedia

West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network prioritizes the promotion and protection of human rights. Concerned about human rights violations in the sub-region, we spotlight recent incidents and demand the immediate release of all persons unlawfully arrested. While calling for prosecutions of all those found culpable, we urge governments and juntas to respect the civil rights and liberties of citizens, especially activists and pro-democracy actors. Read more on the latest human rights abuses and the state of human rights defenders: https://bit.ly/4bjxz8x #SolidarityForDemocracy

2/3: Shedding light on severe conditions people are facing in this world, highlights the importance of standing up for each other and using law and politics as a tool for shaping the world we wish to have. I wrote an other article about the importance of human rights and democracy with a special focus on Iran. The article can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eYUeqSn8

𝐖𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 #𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐊𝐎𝐍𝐆, 𝐃𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔? No government should have the power to silence the voices of those fighting for #freedom, #humanrights, and #justice - whether at home or abroad. Transnational repression, where #authoritarian regimes target activists and vulnerable communities beyond their borders, is a growing threat to democracy and human dignity worldwide. This is why it is so important that we come together to support those on the front lines of this fight. Last week we signed HKDC's initiative against transnational oppression, alongside Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, World Liberty Congress and many other associations, By standing up for their rights, we are standing up for the values of freedom, justice, and the protection of human rights everywhere. As our Executive Director, Jonas Parello-Plesner affirms: "𝘕𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴. 𝘛𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴." Let us continue to raise our voices, amplify their message, and ensure that those fighting for a better world know they are not alone. WE ARE WITH YOU, HONG KONG!

Why does this sound so recently familiar? “The convictions showed "the scale and the seriousness of the criminal scheme", (said Joe Biden and DA Alvin Bragg) adding that this government will do its “utmost to prevent, suppress and impose punishment” for any activities “endangering national security”. Yes - Ironic Satire. Comparing the prosecution of political “criminals” in communist China, who’s only crime is wanting representative government and freedom… to a certain high profile and yet un-named political “criminal” in the US who’s only crime is wanting America to be great again.

Decade After the UN COI Report: Michael Kirby on North Korea's Human Rights Landscape In this profound interview with HRNK's Executive Director Greg Scarlatoiu, Justice Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia and lead investigator of the 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights in North Korea, reflects on the enduring challenges and scant progress in North Korea's human rights issues a decade after the landmark report. Kirby discusses the unchanged and deteriorating conditions in North Korea, the complexities of international intervention, and the intertwined nature of human rights and global security. You may view the recording of this event by clicking the link: https://lnkd.in/guYYEuzy #HumanRights #NorthKorea #MichaelKirby #UNCOI #JusticeForNK #GlobalSecurity #HRNK #InternationalLaw #CrimesAgainstHumanity #GlobalJustice