Source: Amnesty International –
Responding to the jail sentences for “sedition” handed to two former editors at the defunct Hong Kong media outlet Stand News, Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:
“The jailing of two journalists simply for doing their job makes this another bleak day for press freedom in Hong Kong.
“The fact they are the first journalists to be sentenced to jail on colonial-era ‘sedition’ charges since before the Hong Kong handover of 1997 indicates that there has rarely been a more dangerous time to work in media in the city.
“Just like the numerous other ‘sedition’ and national security convictions of activists, teachers and lawyers that we have seen in Hong Kong in recent years, today’s sentencing looks designed to reinforce a ‘chilling effect’ that dissuades others in the city – and beyond – from criticizing the authorities. It is rule by fear.
“Once again, we urge the Hong Kong authorities to stop using ‘sedition’ and other national security-related laws as a pretext to crack down on press freedom and other human rights. The two journalists sentenced today have committed no internationally recognized crime and their convictions should be quashed.”