The BWI has condemned the arrest of Lee Cheuk Yan, General Secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), along with two other prominent pro-democracy leaders, Yeung Sum and Jimmy Lai. The arrests took place on the morning of Friday, 28 February, and are related to a 31 August demonstration to oppose the Extradition Bill.
“We stand in solidarity with Lee Cheuk Yan, and the 7000 other protestors who have been arrested in connection with the wave of protests sparked by the Extradition Bill,” said BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson. “It clearly appears that the arrest is for political purposes, and we are concerned that a fair trial may not be possible.”
“We call on the Hong Kong government to immediately drop all charges against Lee and all other peaceful protesters resisting the Bill, and to lift all restrictions on peaceful assembly.”
Lee, who is currently on bail is scheduled to appear in court on 5 May.
The individuals have been arrested under the Public Order Ordinance, which makes it an offence for three or more people to act together in a “disorderly manner” with the intent to cause others to fear a breach of the peace. The arrests concern a demonstration that was banned by police.
The proposed legislation prompted the unprecedented wave of resistance to the Bill – which featured demonstrations of more than two million people – was seen by the people of Hong Kong as a clear violation of the “one country, two systems” agreed and promised during the handover to China. Heavy-handed responses by the government backfired, and the Bill was shelved altogether after an extended period of opposition.