Hong Kong democracy activist granted asylum in Australia
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The news: Former pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, over four years after he left Hong Kong to evade charges on national security.
The context: Hui said via a Facebook post on Sunday that he had received notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs granting protection visas to him, his wife, children and parents. “This decision reflects values of freedom, justice, and compassion that my family will never take for granted,” he said.
"I express my sincere gratitude to the government of Australia — both present and former — for recognising our need for asylum and granting us this protection,” Hui added.
Hui is a long standing critic of the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities and is among a number of activists targeted in 2023 by police bounties of HK$1 million ($200,000) each.
In response to the decision, the Hong Kong government said that it disapproved of “the harboring of criminals in any form by any country.”
“The HKSAR Government will do everything possible and use all legal means to pursue and combat criminals who endanger national security,” the statement added, without naming Hui.
Hui also called on Canberra to do more for those still suffering in prison: “Men and women like Jimmy Lai, the defendants in the 47 democrats case, and the leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance etc. face long sentences simply for defending basic democratic rights. Australia must do more to rescue them and to speak up for their humanity. Its stance matters internationally, and its protection of Hongkongers sets a precedent for other democracies.”
The sources: Ted Hui Facebook post, Hong Kong government statement
