(Hong Kong) Books written by figures from the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement began to disappear from city libraries, according to online registers, days after the entry into force of the National Security Law .
Posted on July 5 2020 at 11 h 34
France Media Agency
Among the authors whose titles are no longer available are Joshua Wong, one of the most famous activists, and Tanya Chan, a well-known pro-democracy MP.
The Chinese regime imposed on Tuesday evening a very controversial text on the former British colony which makes the opposition fear an unprecedented decline in freedoms since the handover of 1997 by the United Kingdom of this territory, which has a statute of autonomy.
The Beijing authorities, who intend to restore stability after several months of protests last year, however say that this law will only affect “a small minority” of people.
A climate of fear has already descended on the city, the police arrest people in possession of symbols of independence or greater autonomy of the territory while traders have removed their posters of support At the move.
According to Joshua Wong, this withdrawal of the books was caused by the law on national security.
“White terror continues to spread, the national security law is, by nature, a tool intended to challenge [la liberté] speech”, wrote on Facebook this figurehead of the movement, using an expression referring to political persecution.
Research on the libraries website shows that at least three books by Joshua Wong, Tanya Chan and the intellectual Chin Wan are no longer available for loan from the dozens of borrowing points from the city.
On Saturday afternoon, an AFP journalist failed to find these books in a library in the Wong Tai Sin district.
The city’s department of culture and recreation, which is responsible for managing the libraries, said they were removed because it was found to violate national security law.
“During their review, the books will not be available for borrowing and will no longer be referenced,” he added.
This law aims to repress subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
Rights groups and legal analysts point out that the very vague wording of this law prohibits certain political opinions, even those expressed peacefully.