Sawt Falasteen - Former pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmaker granted asylum in Australia

The former British colony -- handed back to China in 1997 -- has seen dissent quashed since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law following huge and at times violent democracy protests that erupted in 2019.

Hui, a high-profile participant at the time who has since resettled in Adelaide, said the Australian government had granted him a protection visa this week, with asylum also extending to his wife, children and parents.

"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," he said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

A vocal critic of Hong Kong and Beijing authorities, Hui is among several overseas activists targeted in 2023 by police bounties of HK$1 million each.

The bounties, which have previously drawn strong criticism from Western countries, are seen as largely symbolic given that they affect people living abroad in nations unlikely to extradite political activists to Hong Kong or China.

In this Facebook post, Hui urged the Australian government not to forget other Hong Kong activists who remained jailed, including tycoon Jimmy Lai, who has been behind bars since 2020.

"Australia must do more to rescue them and to speak up for their humanity," Hui said. "Its stance matters internationally, and its protection of Hongkongers sets a precedent for other democracies."

He added that he and his family will "give back to Australia in every way we can -- through our work, our civic engagement, and our commitment to the values of democracy and freedom".

While Hong Kong's government did not comment directly on Hui's case, a spokesperson said Saturday those who absconded should not think they could evade "criminal liability".

"Any country that harbours Hong Kong criminals in any form shows contempt for the rule of law, grossly disrespects Hong Kong's legal systems and barbarically interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong," the spokesperson said.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has previously objected Hong Kong's arrest warrants and bounties.

"Freedom of expression and assembly are essential to our democracy," she said last month on social media.

"We have consistently expressed our strong objections to China and Hong Kong on the broad and extraterritorial application of Hong Kong's national security legislation, and we will continue to do so."

burs-lec/dhc

R.AbuNasser--SF-PST