Reuters: Prominent Hong Kong activist moves to Canada after two-year silence

One of Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy activists, who was jailed as part of a China-imposed security crackdown, said on Sunday she had left Hong Kong for Canada after pressure from authorities left her with mental health issues.

Agnes Chow, 27 - a core member of a now-disbanded group of younger activists, including Joshua Wong, who helped drive Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement - said on her Instagram account late on Sunday that she had left Hong Kong for studies in Canada.

Chow's posts - her first public comments since her release from prison in June 2021 - detailed how she had remained under "supervision" from the authorities.

Chow was sentenced to 10 months in jail in Nov 2020 over an unauthorised assembly charge. She was later released on bail on the condition she check in with police regularly, and her passport was confiscated as she faced an alleged national security charge, along with others including pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai.

Chow said it was as if the police wanted to remind her that she hadn't regained her freedom, and to "not try to do anything". She said the pressures led her to be diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Several emotional illnesses put my body and mind in a very unstable state," added Chow.

Reuters could not reach Chow, who arrived in Canada in September, for comment.

Hong Kong police in a statement on Monday condemned Chow's "irresponsible behaviours that blatantly challenge law and order" and urged her not to be a fugitive for the rest of her life.

Chow said it was only this year, after she was accepted by a university in Toronto, that the police agreed to return her passport if she travelled to the Chinese city of Shenzhen.

The trip included visits to Chinese tech major Tencent and a "patriotic" exhibition on China's achievements.

"I was forced to go to mainland China in exchange for the opportunity to study abroad," she wrote.

Chow was due to report to Hong Kong's security police this month but decided not to return out of consideration for her personal safety and well being. "Maybe I won't return for the rest of my life," she wrote.

source: Reuters #Dec04
https://www.reuters.com/world/prominent-hong-kong-activist-quits-canada-after-two-year-silence-2023-12-03/

#AgnesChow #AntiELAB #Exile #NationalSecurityLaw

Reuters

Prominent Hong Kong activist moves to Canada after two-year silence

One of Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy activists, who was jailed as part of a China-imposed security crackdown, said on Sunday she had left Hong Kong for Canada after pressure from authorities left her with mental health issues.

Hong Kong Police Participation Sparks Protests at World Police and Fire Games in Winnipeg
The World Police and Fire Games recently concluded in Winnipeg, Canada, with a closing ceremony on August 6th. The event drew attention due to the participation of the Hong Kong Police Force. A local organization "Winnipeg Hong Kong Concern" led a protest outside the venue, joined by around 30 Hong Kong residents.

During the protest, the group chanted slogans in English, calling the Hong Kong police "killers" in reference to their actions during the 2019 #AntiELAB protests, and demanding their return to China.

Some officers from the Hong Kong police delegation filmed and recorded the protesters with their cameras, even challenging them to confront them directly. "Bring it on", some officers shouted at the protesters.

Local authorities, including the Winnipeg police, were present to maintain order at the site. They advised the protesters to disperse peacefully for safety reasons. Despite this, the advocacy group expressed their determination to continue protesting and closely monitor the Hong Kong Police, emphasizing that they will observe them until their departure from the airport.

Bryan, a member of the Winnipeg Hong Kong Concern group, spoke to Radio Free Asia, expressing concerns about whether the Hong Kong Police would leave Canada promptly after the Games. He also called into question whether the Hong Kong officers' photographing of the protesters were aimed at gathering information about Hong Kong residents in Canada.

The advocacy group issued a separate statement following the protest, urging Canadian authorities to investigate the decision made by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the participation of the Hong Kong police in the 2023 World Police and Fire Games.

Source: Chaser News; #Aug06

#WPFG #Winnipeg #Canada #HongKongPolice