Hong Kong Activists 'rally' Online For 12 Detainees

Activists in Hong Kong took their "rally" into cyberspace on Sunday to gather international support for the 12 Hong Kong people detained in Shenzhen, culminating a series of protests and other events held globally over the cause.

The virtual rally, which began at 8pm Hong Kong time, comes at a time when the government has banned gathering of more than four people in public places as part of the social distancing restrictions against Covid-19.

The organisers of the online event urged the people to "join the rally" by using their social media accounts to watch the event and share the feed by tagging the organisers' Facebook page. Media organisations were also urged to relay the feed to their audience.

Within an hour, over 7,000 people had joined their Facebook page of the activists while over 3,500 had shared the link. Former lawmaker Chu Hoi-dick said the event was expected to last two hours.

The organiser of the event – the "Save 12 Hong Kong Youths" concern group – appealed to people who want human rights to be respected and justice to be served to show solidarity with the detainees.

It has been more than two months since the 12 were intercepted and later arrested by mainland authorities as they tried to flee to Taiwan. Their families or lawyers appointed by them have not been given access to them.

The organisers of the online event accused the Hong Kong government and mainland authorities of demonstrating "utter disregard [of] fundamental human rights, civil and political liberties and the rule of law".

“China’s authoritarianism is in expansion, it has repeatedly employed hostage diplomacy,” said district councilor Owen Chow at the start of the event.

“Citizens of non-Chinese jurisdictions are detained for political leverage,” he added.

Chau urged international governments to weigh in.

“We urge governments around the world to express their concern regarding the 12 Hong Kong youths to the Chinese government, and to call for their immediate release,” he said.