Eric Lai 黎恩灝

5/it is more important to focus on here and now, paying attention to the ongoing development of Hong Kong and China, identifying small resistance and resilience, and remaining hope. 
#HongKong #Democracy #HumanRights #history #authoritarianism #China #Hope #Journalism #Freedom #GlobalNews

4/The wide reporting of the LSD’s closure by international media indicates that Hong Kong is still able to get limelight globally, and the global community cares about Hong Kong’s state of political freedoms, openness, plurality and anti-authoritarian struggles.

3/That said, history reminds us of the resilience of citizens and political prisoners during the valley of human rights movement in different places. Eventually, unexpected change would come.

YouTube video by DW News Hong Kong: Has the National Security Law completely crushed pro-democracy dissent? | DW News

2/No doubt, the disbandment of the LSD marked the end of political plurality in Hong Kong’s party politics and broadly the city’s future. Democratic movement could not continue in party politics or direct mobilization in short and medium terms. Link to DW News here: youtu.be/2-26HniIkE8?...

1/This week, I was invited by a number of media outlets, including Al Jazeera, DW News and France 24, to explain the disbandment of the League of Social Democrats and the future of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. Link here (France 24): www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...

Joined #AlJazeera to discuss the disbandment of League of Social Democrats in #HongKong, marking the nearly total disappearance of #opposition parties and #political #pluralism in this city.

Thrilled to share my new book Legal Resistance under Authoritarianism (July 2025).It explores how legal actors engage in resistance within authoritarian regimes,sometimes quietly,sometimes boldly.Endless thanks to those who challenged,encouraged, and shaped this work.Link: www.aup.nl/en/book/9789...

3/Link to the white paper: www.gov.cn/zhengce/2025...

2/Titled 新时代的中国国家安全, the white paper highlights the importance of safeguarding national security, and suggests improving the national security eco-system in China. The Hong Kong Government's act is obviously part of the grand scheme of enhancing China's security regime in the territory.

1/[Why Did the HKG Propose a Security Subsidiary Legislation Today?] Just when they are reading the proposal in the Legislative Council, PRC's State Council released a new White Paper on "China's National Security in the New Age”.

3/Since HK is not a sovereign state. It is increasingly clear that China now prioritizes national security above all else and is prepared to intervene directly in HK’s local security affairs when it perceives potential geopolitical or security threats to the Communist regime.

2/Given the ongoing trial of Jimmy Lai, the controversy surrounding Hutchison’s sale of its port assets, and the rise in transnational repression, the Hong Kong government has limited authority and capacity to respond to Western criticism.

1/The proposal further codifies the broad powers of the Office for Safeguarding National Security (OSNS) operating in HK, without meaningful checks by local BODIES. This reflects the rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, espc. the growing tensions between China and the West.

4/ in faith, hope and charity I trust His Holiness Leo XIV will fully support his brother (and our “grandfather”) Cardinal Zen, who truly follows the examples of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3/ Jesus is the shepherd, not a hired hand who sees a wolf coming and flees. Cardinal Zen has made a sacrificial choice, and I trust that his witness will continue to raise awareness about the plight of Catholics in Hong Kong no matter how much Beijing tries to muzzle him.

2/As a scholar of HK’s rule of law, human rights and religious freedom, I appreciate Fr. Robert Sirico’s case that “Hong Kong’s Dissident Cardinal Zen Should Defect”. As a Catholic I fully understand His Eminence’s rejection as he can fulfill his pastoral mission only by being among the people.

Opinion | Cardinal Zen Refuses to Flee From the Wolves He has returned to Hong Kong to be with his flock.

1/In prayers and solidarity I am sharing my thoughts on Cardinal Zen’e bravery and faithful witness in rejecting calls for him to leave HK where the government accuses him with the draconian national security law. Thanks @WSJ for publishing this oped. www.wsj.com/opinion/card...

Were they living in democratic society, never would they have been sent to jail for what they have committed to five years ago.

Four pro-democracy lawmakers from ‘Hong Kong 47’ group freed after four years in jail Claudia Mo, Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam and Gary Fan among those released on Tuesday after prosecution criticised as politically motivated A group of pro-democracy lawmakers jailed in a landmark Hong Kong national security trial have been freed after spending four years in prison. Local media had reported that the group, Claudia Mo, Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam and Gary Fan, would be freed on Tuesday from three separate prisons across Hong Kong. Continue reading...

Four pro-democracy lawmakers from ‘Hong Kong 47’ group freed after four years in jail

Congrats to the report launch! Delighted to provide my comments on the impacts of reprisals tactics against civil society members actively engaging in the UN human rights bodies.

I am pleased to present my contribution to the latest edited volume on Hong Kong’s autocratisation. Adapting Lord Bingham’s principles of the Rule of Law, I examine how the legal system and separation of powers have been eroded under the autocratisation process.

Order here: lnkd.in/eKQ-h2wF

In 2013, I had a privilege to attend the inaugural mass of Pope Francis and the following Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday)Mass at St Peter Basilica,presided over by Pope Francis as well. His examples, words and deeds, though not everyone agree, inspire many. Requiescat in pace. AMDG.

The world mourns the passing of the Pope The international community reacts to the death of Pope Francis, who was a truly global figure and influence went beyond the Catholic church.

The international community reacts to the death of Pope Francis, who was a truly global figure and influence went beyond the Catholic church.

Today we are proud to launch the Hong Kong Accountability Archive (HKAA), an independent database of videos from the 2019 pro-democracy protests aimed at protecting freedom of peaceful assembly by preserving evidence of human rights violations. Watch this promo for more on the project.

As the Trump administration purges web pages, this group is rushing to save them The Trump administration's erasure of federal data has put the Internet Archive in the spotlight. The organization, with its small but mighty team, is working to help save the world's digital history.

The nonprofit in an old Christian Science building archiving the internet.

www.npr.org/2025/03/23/n...

My take in theStraitsTimes: “The most commonly used charge of sedition – inciting others to rebel against the authority of the government or state – has allowed the authorities “to exert greater social control, particularly over dissenting opinions and speeches.” www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...

We are also working hand in hand with Chinese (and HK) scholars on cutting-edge research. See our series of reports on Hong Kong's draconian National Security Law here, many of them co-authored with my friend and colleague @ericyhlai.bsky.social:
www.law.georgetown.edu/law-asia/pub...

In an extraordinary display of public support, heads of state, heads of government, and foreign ministers from all over Europe and Canada are posting in support of Ukraine in response to the Oval Office meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy, and Vance.

Judge Orders Trump Administration to Resume Foreign Aid Spending The judge faulted the logic of a blanket freeze on foreign aid spending and found that groups that depend on the aid had made a strong initial showing of “irreparable harm.”

Some good news on the foreign aid funding freeze fight! As many have seen, the DC District Court has just issued a TRO against USG. A big initial victory, but there's a long road ahead. Some initial thoughts on the ruling, but first, here is the @nytimes.com writeup:
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/u...