Pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok has alleged that the Hong Kong government imprisoned her father, Kwok Yin-sang, to silence her advocacy abroad. The 29-year-old, who fled the city in 2020, expressed her shock at learning of her father’s arrest for a national security offence, stating, “there’s also this feeling of knowing it would come one day.” On October 26, 2023, a Hong Kong court sentenced the 69-year-old to eight months in prison, marking a significant escalation in the government’s pressure on political activists’ families.
Kwok Yin-sang was convicted of attempting to manage the financial assets of his daughter, a charge stemming from his attempt to withdraw approximately $11,000 from an insurance policy he had purchased for Anna when she was just two years old. This case is noteworthy as it represents the first instance of a family member of a wanted activist being sentenced under the controversial national security law, which critics argue is used to suppress dissent.
The Hong Kong government has faced accusations of expanding its repression tactics, drawing comparisons to mainland China’s methods. Responding to these concerns, a government spokesperson claimed that law enforcement actions are unrelated to individuals’ political views or activities. Kwok is one of 34 activists currently sought by Hong Kong’s national security police, accused of colluding with foreign entities and violating national security laws during the widespread pro-democracy protests of 2019.
In addition to her father, Kwok’s brother was also arrested last year on suspicions related to her financial dealings. While her brother was released, their father faced charges under Article 23, a local law that builds upon the Beijing-imposed national security law. Kwok has argued that her father’s prosecution is an attempt to undermine her efforts as executive director of the Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, which has lobbied for reconsideration of the operations of Hong Kong’s trade offices in the United States.
“My father’s case really shows how political freedom is reaching a new low in Hong Kong,” Kwok remarked, emphasizing the government’s commitment to repress any form of activism. The police, maintaining their stance, stated they acted “in accordance with the law” and have condemned any efforts to tarnish their reputation.
Kwok’s situation is not an isolated incident. A recent tally based on media reports revealed that since 2023, at least 50 family members of 19 individuals labeled as “absconders” have been questioned by Hong Kong’s national security police. These individuals are suspected of national security violations and include family members ranging from immediate relatives to distant cousins. Even those seen as supportive of Beijing have not been spared; Eunice Yung, a pro-Beijing lawmaker, was questioned regarding her father-in-law, a US-based activist also facing charges.
The tactics used by the Hong Kong authorities have drawn criticism from rights groups, who argue that they mirror strategies employed by the Chinese government to intimidate dissidents. In a striking example, the aunts and uncle of activist Carmen Lau, who resides in the UK, were reportedly detained to assist in an investigation. Lau described the police actions as intimidation tactics aimed at silencing her protests against Chinese policies.
The international community has condemned these bounties and intimidation efforts. The governments of both the United States and the United Kingdom have labeled such actions as a form of “transnational repression.” Despite this, the Hong Kong government maintains its position, asserting the necessity of pursuing those suspected of endangering national security, even if they are abroad.
Since the introduction of the national security law in 2020, the landscape of political dissent in Hong Kong has dramatically changed. Critics highlight that the law criminalizes activism and stifles free speech, creating an environment of fear. Many protesters previously charged with minor offences now face severe penalties under the national security law, including potential life imprisonment. High-profile figures, such as media mogul Jimmy Lai, have received lengthy sentences, underscoring the law’s extensive reach.
In discussing the broader implications of her father’s case, Eric Lai, a senior fellow at the Georgetown Center for Asian Law, remarked that the international community has increasingly recognized the Hong Kong government’s use of legal mechanisms as tools for political suppression. He emphasized that the charges against individuals like Kwok should not be seen as criminal but rather as attempts to silence advocates exercising their rights.
Kwok has expressed her resolve to continue her advocacy despite the personal cost, stating, “There’s definitely guilt to grapple with, but also a bigger mission.” She believes that the Hong Kong government’s efforts to intimidate her will ultimately fail. “They want me to stop speaking out, and of course they have failed. I’m speaking to you now,” she concluded.
The ongoing situation illustrates the complex and often perilous landscape for activists in Hong Kong and those who support them from abroad. As the battle for political freedom continues, the international community watches closely, aware that the implications extend far beyond the borders of the city.
