Anson Chan slams Hong Kong’s ‘naked political screening’ as she receives US justice prize
City’s former No 2 official also urges international community to speak out for – and remind Beijing of – the ‘one country, two systems’ principle
The recent election ban on young Hong Kong activist Agnes Chow Ting is no different from “naked political screening of a pro-democracy candidate”, the city’s former No 2 official said on Sunday as she urged the international community to speak out and protect the former British colony’s freedoms.
“The international community is entitled to expect that China’s growing importance as a global superpower is matched by a greater commitment to global values,” she said.
Opposition to controversial national security law could become new reason for Legco election ban, Beijing adviser says
The international community is entitled to expect that China’s growing importance as a global superpower is matched by a greater commitment to global values
During her acceptance speech, Chan said worrying evidence had suggested that Hong Kong officials, under pressure from Beijing, were increasing ruling by law to suppress dissent and intimidate pro-democracy protesters.
“The government has added salt to the wounds by refusing to validate a candidate from a political party that promotes the right of Hongkongers to determine how best to preserve their values and lifestyle but stops short of advocating independence,” she said. “This decision looks very much like naked political screening of a pro-democracy candidate.”
The three pro-democracy advocates were put behind bars last year after a local court ruled in the government’s favour, but the jail terms were quashed last week by the city’s top court, which at the same time endorsed stricter sentencing guidelines for unlawful protests in future.
