Front Denies Foreign Funding 'over Possible Ban'

The Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) has denied receiving funding from overseas organisations after a report said the government may outlaw the group on national security grounds.

There have been claims that the front – which is best known for organising the annual July First rally and other protests – had received funding from the US National Endowment for Democracy to organise anti-extradition demonstrations, which began in June 2019.

A report by Singaporean newspaper Lianhe Zaobao quoted sources as saying that the Hong Kong government could ban the group shortly if the allegations of foreign funding were proven true.

Sources quoted by the newspaper also alleged that the CHRF has never registered with the government and might have breached the Societies Ordinance. The report said the front’s convenors could be jailed for up to three months if found guilty.

In a statement, the front's convenor, Figo Chan, said its funding came solely from donations from the public during marches and assemblies.

He stressed the group has never received funding from foreign governments or organisations, including the National Endowment for Democracy.

“Regarding the news that the CHRF may be disbanded by the government, our take is that once this regime targets a person or organisation to condemn, it always manages to find an excuse to do so,” Chan said.

The group urged people to “recognise and acknowledge the facts” and to do their best during what it calls a “difficult time of incessant political suppression”.