Source: Amnesty International NZ
Following the arrest of opposition activists Joshua Wong and Koo Sze-yiu for taking part in last October’s ‘unauthorized’ protest against Hong Kong’s anti-mask law, Amnesty International Hong Kong’s Programme Manager Lam Cho Ming said:
“The arrest of one of Hong Kong’s most prominent opposition figures for wearing a face mask at an ‘unauthorized’ protest – at a time when wearing a face mask is compulsory in the city – is yet another example of the government’s campaign to silence dissent by any means.”
Lam Cho Ming, Programme Manager Hong Kong Amnesty International
“Today’s targeting of activists once again highlights the authorities’ escalating crackdown on critical voices, which is having a chilling effect on the freedom of peaceful assembly in Hong Kong.
“The mask ban violates international law and must be withdrawn, rather than used by the Hong Kong authorities as a pretext for arresting opponents.”
Background
Joshua Wong and fellow activist Koo Sze-yiu were arrested today for taking part in the “unauthorized” protest against Hong Kong’s anti-mask law on 5 October 2019. Wong was also charged with violating the anti-mask law, before being released.
The mask ban was introduced last year using the colonial-era Emergency Regulations Ordinance (ERO) law. The ban remains in place for assemblies that are not authorized by the authorities.
