Freedom of Speech
-
Conflicts - Tensions
Hong Kong’s academic freedom suffers under security regime, report says
Voice of America Hong Kong’s national security law, enacted in July 2020, has eroded academic freedom in the former United Kingdom colony, according to a report released in late September 2024. The report, by the international group Human Rights Watch and the United States-based advocacy organization Hong Kong Democracy Council, said university authorities have imposed greater control and limitations on…
Read More -
Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Human rights advocates, investigators document CCP’s transnational repression
FORUM Staff Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-linked intimidation, harassment and violence during CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping’s visit to San Francisco, California, sought to silence criticism of Beijing’s repressive policies. CCP supporters appeared to coordinate actions that ranged from stealing protest signs to beating demonstrators, according to investigations by The Washington Post newspaper, and the Hong Kong Democracy Council and Students…
Read More -
Conflicts - Tensions
Hong Kong begins 2024 on anti-democracy drive
FORUM Staff When the trial of media mogul Jimmy Lai began December 18, 2023, in Hong Kong, some called it a landmark test of free speech under the former British colony’s draconian national security law. Others, such as Lai’s son, Sebastien, called it a sham trial. Jimmy Lai, 76, the pro-democracy publisher of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, is charged…
Read More -
Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Myanmar junta arrested more than 1,300 people for online criticism
Radio Free Asia Myanmar’s junta arrested more than 1,300 people over the past 20 months for online criticism, an independent organization reported, highlighting the military rulers’ intolerance of dissent and freedom of expression. Many of those arrested were first targeted by junta supporters who put private information about the critics on the internet, making it easier to identify them, residents…
Read More