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Responding to a Hong Kong court’s conviction of the father of US-based pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok under the city’s Article 23 law, Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas spokesperson Joey Siu said:

“This conviction is the first time a family member of a ‘wanted’ pro-democracy activist living abroad has been convicted under Hong Kong’s national security laws. It marks a disturbing escalation in the Hong Kong government’s repressive use of ‘Article 23’.

“The absurd bounty placed on Anna Kwok’s head due to her activism is already a brazen attack on her freedom of expression. Now, as Hong Kong authorities stoop to a new low, her father faces jail solely for an alleged attempt to handle an insurance policy.

“This apparently politically motivated conviction of an activist’s close relative also sets a dangerous precedent, designed to terrify and silence others who continue to speak out about Hong Kong issues from overseas.

“Hong Kong authorities must immediately release the father of Anna Kwok, as well as all others accused of assisting activists in exile, unless they can show they have committed an internationally recognized crime.”

Background

The father of Anna Kwok was today convicted of attempting to deal with funds linked to an “absconder”, an offence under the Hong Kong’s Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, often referred to as the ‘Article 23’ law.

Anna Kwok is a US-based Hong Kong activist wanted for “colluding with foreign forces”, with national security police offering a reward of HK$1m (US$128,000) for information leading to her capture. She is one of the 34 activists in exile targeted with a bounty.

In late 2024, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security Chris Tang invoked his powers under Article 23 to cancel Kwok’s Hong Kong passport, declare her an “absconder”, and prohibit her from dealing with funds, other financial assets or economic resources in Hong Kong, along with six of the other exiled activists.

Since Hong Kong’s National Security Law came into effect in June 2020, the human rights situation in the city has deteriorated dramatically, with the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association among the rights under sustained attack.

The city’s Article 23 law, enacted in March 2024, has further squeezed people’s freedoms and enabled authorities to intensify their crackdown on peaceful activism in the city and beyond.

The post Hong Kong: Conviction of ‘wanted’ activist’s father a ‘disturbing escalation’ appeared first on Amnesty International.

Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard will attend the Munich Security Conference from 13 to 15 February, where she will be available for interview and will call on world leaders and senior officials to collectively resist the predatory attacks on international law that are severely undermining global security.

“It’s already clear that 2026 will be a year of immense global security challenges. The Trump administration’s act of aggression against Venezuela and its ongoing threats of military action in Colombia, Greenland, Iran and Mexico have laid bare its ‘might-is-right’ approach to foreign policy and complete disregard for international law. At the same time, Israel has refused to end its genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, despite the supposed ceasefire, and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is set to drag on into its fifth year, with no end in sight to the unlawful attacks on Ukrainian civilians,” said Agnès Callamard.

World leaders must find their backbones and seize on forums like the Munich Security Conference as opportunities to plot collective resistance to the attacks on international law that endanger us all.

Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard

“Now is not the time for states to imitate, appease, or capitulate in the face of bullies. The military aggressions and economic bullying of some states, coupled with the complicity and cowardice of many, have brought the multilateral, rules-based order to its knees. But this does not mean it was or is an illusion. And it certainly does not mean we should abandon the principles behind it. The safety of billions of people around the world relies on us revindicating the post-World War II spirit and strengthening international law and human rights protections. This means, for example, reforming the UN Security Council’s veto and membership rules, protecting bodies like the International Criminal Court, and rethinking the international legal system to make it fit for purpose in today’s tumultuous world.

“World leaders must find their backbones and seize on forums like the Munich Security Conference as opportunities to plot collective resistance to the attacks on international law that endanger us all. The bullies must be stopped. Humanity must win.”

Information for journalists

Hundreds of decision-makers and opinion leaders from around the world will meet to discuss security policy challenges at the 62nd Munich Security Conference, which runs from 13 to 15 February. Agnès Callamard will be available for media interviews on a range of human rights issues, including: 

• The importance of revindicating and revitalizing multilateralism and the rule-based order
• The European Project and role of the EU in the current environment
• Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza
• The USA’s military action in Venezuela and its threats against Greenland and other countries
• Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
• The conflicts in Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Myanmar
• The security implications of new technologies and autonomous weapons systems

The post Munich Security Conference: Amnesty chief warns attacks on international law are undermining global security appeared first on Amnesty International.