Please add your voice

UPDATE: More than 600 people have been arrested in the current protests in Hong Kong. The imprisonment of the Umbrella 9 leaders sets a chilling precedent for them. Call on Carrie Lam to release those currently imprisoned, and send her a message that peaceful protest is a human right. 

The Umbrella Movement made global headlines when they filled Hong Kong’s streets to peacefully protest the erosion of their democracy. 

Now, nine leaders of the pro-democracy protests have been found guilty of conspiring "to commit public nuisance.” Four have been sentenced to up 16 months imprisonment.

This is the first time the government has used these charges against peaceful protestors. Their imprisonment under these charges sets a precedent for the government to pursue charges against the other 955 people originally arrested for protesting.

This is a politically motivated prosecution designed to silence criticism of the government. The Umbrella nine face prison –  so the authorities can make a point that all dissent will be silenced.

We know that Hong Kong doesn’t want to lose face on the world stage. They want to be seen to be doing the right thing.

Call on Hong Kong’s authorities to release those imprisoned and overturn the convictions of the Umbrella Movement leaders.

Add your Voice

  Our Petition

 

The Hon. Carrie Lam, Chief Executive

Dear Chief Executive,

On 24 April 2019, four leaders of the 2014 pro-democracy Umbrella Movement protests, Professor Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Professor Chan Kin-man, Raphael Wong Ho-ming and Shiu Ka-chun, were sentenced to eight to 16 months’ imprisonment, on conviction of “public nuisance” related charges for “obstructing public places and roads” during the protests.

These vague charges stem solely from their peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The conviction and sentencing will have worrying impacts on the enjoyment of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Hong Kong. The conviction and the imprisonment of the four sets a worrying precedent that these vague and ambiguous charges could be used for blanket prosecution and imprisonment of peaceful protesters, exacerbating the chilling effect on freedom of peaceful assembly and expression in Hong Kong.

We call on you Chief Executive to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the four prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely for peacefully advocating for democracy in Hong Kong, and that their convictions are overturned without delay.

Sincerely,