Police officers from Hong Kong’s National Security Department visited democracy and rights advocate Emily Lau at her home in August 2021 to request information about the China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group (CHRLCG), which was later dissolved.
The 71-year-old former journalist and lawmaker spoke about hearing the doorbell ring early one morning and knowing immediately who was at the door in the first episode of HKFP’s new podcast, Yum Cha.
“I live alone… they came at 7am – ding dong – I knew it would be them,” Lau said.
The officers told her that they were not there to make an arrest, saying instead that they were there to give her something – a letter.
Lau said the visit came on the same day that national security police also visited the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, the defunct group behind the city’s once-annual vigils for the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown.
“They visited all the directors that morning… they alleged we are foreign agents and they wanted information about the organisation, about the directors, the staff and everything – so they visited me,” Lau said.
In an emailed, Chinese-language response to HKFP, police said that its National Security Department had requested “certain persons to provide information in accordance with the procedures and methods specified in Schedule 5 of the Implementation Rules under Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law” on August 25, 2021.
Chankalun – A Bright Future for Hong Kong's Neon Heritage – Hong Kong Free Press Yum Cha
- Chankalun – A Bright Future for Hong Kong's Neon Heritage
- Carol Liang – Happy Hong Kong?
- Astrid Andersson – Wildlife Trade and Alien Invaders
- Xyza Cruz Bacani – Migrant Domestic Workers and the Children Left Behind
- Cynthia Cheng and Maxime Vanhollebeke – An Invisible Web of Workers
- Vaudine England – A City Between East and West
- Regina Ip – Matters of Security
- Emily Lau – Fighting Two Tigers
Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon Music | Pandora | RSS
Because that request was related to efforts to safeguard national security, the police spokesperson said further details could not be provided.
At the time, Lau was on the CHRLCG’s board of directors. They made the decision soon afterwards to shut down.
“In the end, we decided to dissolve,” Lau said. “If we know that is something they cannot accept, tolerate, it doesn’t mean that if we dissolve, we will be safe, no, but at least we took that step.”
Founded in 2007 by veteran democrat and human rights lawyer Albert Ho, who is currently behind bars facing a national security charge of “incitement to subversion,” the CHRLCG advocated for the protection of human rights and the development of the rule of law on mainland China. Human rights lawyers in mainland China have reportedly faced arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearances.
Three former members of the Alliance – Chow Hang-tung, Tang Ngok-kwan, and Tsui Hon-kwong – were jailed for four and a half months in March over failing to adhere to a request for information from national security police.
Lau also discussed challenging late UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher on the Sino-British Joint Declaration soon after it was signed in 1984, and how that encounter propelled the then-journalist into politics, and why young Hongkongers should be grateful for the work she and her peers did while part of the legislature.
HKFP Yum Cha
The second episode of HKFP Yum Cha will be released on Sunday, with new episodes to follow on Saturdays. The first season will feature a diverse range of voices, from artists to scientists, who share their perspective on Hong Kong as it is today through the lens of their industry.
We will explore how early Hong Kong was shaped not only by the Chinese and the British, but by immigrants from across Asia and their interracial offspring, and how those influences can still be felt. And we will learn how the city’s position as a wildlife trade hub has shaped its biodiversity in one particularly unexpected way.
Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
Original reporting on HKFP is backed by our monthly contributors.
Almost 1,000 monthly donors make HKFP possible. Each contributes an average of HK$200/month to support our award-winning original reporting, keeping the city’s only independent English-language outlet free-to-access for all. Three reasons to join us:
- 🔎 Transparent & efficient: As a non-profit, we are externally audited each year, publishing our income/outgoings annually, as the city’s most transparent news outlet.
- 🔒 Accurate & accountable: Our reporting is governed by a comprehensive Ethics Code. We are 100% independent, and not answerable to any tycoon, mainland owners or shareholders. Check out our latest Annual Report, and help support press freedom.
- 💰 It’s fast, secure & easy: We accept most payment methods – cancel anytime, and receive a free tote bag and pen if you contribute HK$150/month or more.
MORE Original Reporting
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.
