Kenya detains prominent activist, Hong Kong jails activists father, Volker Türk pressured to address Beijing’s repression, and more.

The court sentenced Kwok to eight months in prison for attempting to withdraw funds from an insurance policy linked to his daughter, activist Anna Kwok. Prosecutors argued that this constituted providing unlawful financial support to an “absconder” under Article 23.

The judge deemed the offense “serious” and cited Kwok’s alleged lack of remorse when imposing the sentence. The ruling signals the court’s readiness to expansively interpret national security laws to criminalize indirect or disputed financial connections to activists based abroad.

HRF stands in firm solidarity with Anna Kwok and all those targeted through family reprisals. The use of national security legislation to punish the relatives of dissidents underscores the widening scope of repression in Hong Kong.

HRF joined @CHRDnet and 24 other civil society organizations calling on UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to directly address Beijing’s deepening repression during his February 27 address to the UN Human Rights Council. Silence enables impunity.

Multiple UN bodies, including the High Commissioner’s own office, have warned that abuses perpetrated against Uyghurs and others in China may constitute crimes against humanity. Yet as repression continues, accountability remains elusive.

Religious leaders, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders remain arbitrarily detained. Hong Kong’s draconian security laws continue to be used to silence dissent.

The UN Human Rights Council exists to confront these crimes, not avoid them. Read the full joint statement.