Amnesty International to shut offices in Hong Kong

Amnesty International has made up its decisions to shut its operation in Hong Kong. It will close the offices in Hong Kong. The decision is coming up after newly-imposed security laws in the country.

The group of human rights said that the law that China has imposed makes it difficult for them to operate. Amnesty International maintained its presence in Hong Kong for more than at least 40 years.

Now the company is running two of its offices in the country. One of its offices focuses on the city. On the other hand, another office focuses on the wider enough region.

The local office of Amnesty International in Hong Kong will close by 31st October. The regional office for this organization will leave by the end of this year.

The national security law with the broader world in Hong Kong is criminalizing secession, terrorism, subversion, collusion, and terrorism with a foreign force.

Critics further said that they are aiming at the crushing of the dissent. But China is saying that it will work on maintaining stability. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais, the chair of Amnesty International’s board, said that a crackdown under this law is forcing 35 groups to disband.

“This decision, made with a heavy heart, has been driven by Hong Kong’s national security law. It has made it effectively impossible for human rights organizations in Hong Kong to work freely and without fear of serious reprisals,” she said.

She has also said, “The environment of repression and perpetual uncertainty created by the national security law makes it impossible to know what activities might lead to criminal sanctions.”

Among the groups which have disbanded this year, there are also many leading trade unions, professional groups, and NGOs. Many other NGOs like the New School of Democracy have made a shift to Taiwan.

Credits: BBC