Hong Kong 12

"Save 12" campaign demanding the release of the captured Hong Kong protesters by Chinese authorities
2019–2020 Hong Kong protests
Background
Timeline
2019
2020
Major incidents
Tactics and methods
Fatalities
Reactions to the protests
Reactions to the Hong Kong national security law
2020
2021

Hong Kong 12,[1][2][3] or 12 Hongkongers,[4] are the twelve Hong Kong protesters, previously arrested by the Hong Kong police, detained by the Chinese authorities in 2020 on sea after a failed attempt to flee to Taiwan.

In a post on Chinese social media dated August 26, 2020, the China Coast Guard claimed that Guangdong authorities had intercepted a speedboat on August 23 under the suspicion of illegal border crossing, and that more than ten people had been detained. The released coordinates put the incident in the South China Sea, approximately 78 kilometres (48 mi) from Hong Kong Island. On August 27, The Guardian cited two Hong Kong news outlets which reported, based on unnamed sources, that in the incident, a total of 12 people had been detained en route to Taiwan, of whom at least ten were Hong Kong residents. Referring to the same sources, the passengers had included activist Andy Li, who had been arrested on August 10 under charges related to the national security law and released on bail. Hong Kong police chief Chris Tang told media on August 27 that he had heard the reports on the detention, and that the force was actively seeking information from the mainland authorities.[5]

Chinese authorities only released scant information on the situation of the detainees. On September 13, Chinese authorities announced that the detained had been brought to the Yantian Detention Centre in Shenzhen and put under "compulsory criminal detention".[6] In a Twitter message from the same day, mainland government spokesperson Hua Chunying referred to the detainees as "elements" who had intended to separate Hong Kong from mainland China. Authorities repeatedly denied the detainees access to their families' appointed lawyers. Detention authorities claimed that the detainees had accepted government-appointed lawyers, which was denied by the families.[7] Secretary of Security John Lee implied in statements made around that time that the Hong Kong government would not interfere with mainland law enforcement in the case.[8][9]

On December 16, Yantian District authorities announced that a trial hearing was to be held in which the two oldest detainees, Quinn Moon and Tang Kai-yin, would be prosecuted for organising others to cross the border illegally, and eight prosecuted for crossing the border illegally. A trial hearing for the two underage defendants would be closed off to the public;[10] they were returned to Hong Kong police on December 28, where they were facing extra charges for allegedly absconding.[11]

At a December 28 trial – where no relatives, Hong Kong media, or foreign ambassador representatives were allowed to audit the hearing, contrary to what the court said[12] –, eight of the ten defendants of age were sentenced to seven months of prison terms for illegal border crossing.[13] Quinn Moon and Tang Kai-yin were sentenced to terms of two and three years, respectively.[14] The eight defendants of age were returned to Hong Kong police on March 22, 2021. They were held in quarantine upon arrival while local courts began hearings on their cases, with Andy Li being charged under the national security law.[15]

The incident gained attention in Hong Kong and internationally, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo releasing a press statement on September 11 in which he expressed his concern both about the detainees' welfare as well as their lack of access to family-appointed lawyers.[16] On December 29, 2020, the European Union demanded fair trials and the release of the 12 detainees.[17]

Presumed identities of the detainees

In its initial notice, the Guangdong Coast Guard released only the surnames of two of the detainees, Li and Tang, but no other information about names. The South China Morning Post reported that activist Andy Li was the Li referred to.[18][19] As the full names were first published by pro-Beijing media Wen Wei Po, even some family members had doubts about their veracity. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Security Bureau said that it had received advice from its mainland counterpart that the ages of the detainees ranged from 16 to 33.[19] As of October 3, no one from Hong Kong has confirmed their identities.[20] Two of the detained have British National Overseas passports, while a third has Hong Kong and Portuguese permanent residencies.[21]

  • Tang Kai-yin (鄧棨然)(30): Arrested and charged for attempted arson when police found bomb-making materials in Wan Chai. Named by Chinese notice as "suspect with surname Tang" as the full name has never been released officially, Tang is charged of being the leader of the group who steered the boat.[22][23]
  • Andy Li (李宇軒)(29): Founding member of pro-democracy advocacy group "Hong Kong Story" and has deep ties with anti-government international group Stand with Hong Kong and local protest group "Dragon Slaying Brigade". He was arrested by Hong Kong police on August 10 for alleged money laundering and breaching the new national security law, specifically for "colluding with foreign powers". He is the only one of the twelve who is alleged to have violated the national security law and thus is the only one possibly not tried under Hong Kong judiciary system.[24][25]
  • Wong Wai-Yin (黃偉然)(29): Wong was arrested on January 16, 2020, after a police raid at his home near a border town resulted in the seizure of chemicals, electronic equipment and other items that they suspected could be used to make explosives.[26] He was released on bail on February 14 and ordered to report to his local police office daily. Wong's last police station reporting was on August 22, and he did not show up to court on August 24. A Hong Kong court issued an arrest warrant for Wong on August 26.[27]
  • Li Tsz-Yin (李子賢)(29): Li was arrested in Hong Kong for alleged "rioting" on September 29, 2019, and had already been in court.[28]
  • Cheung Chun Fu (張俊富)(22): Hong Kong Open University student. Cheung was arrested by Hong Kong police for illicit weapon possession and was on bail.[29]
  • Yim Man-Him (嚴文謙)(21): Along with Cheung, Yim was also arrested by Hong Kong police on the same day and was on bail.[30]
  • Cheung Ming-Yu (張銘裕)(20): At the time of his capture, Cheung was on bail pending trial.[31]
  • Kok Tse-Lun (郭子麟)(18): Hong Kong University student. He is a Portuguese due to his Macau heritage, with his citizenship having been confirmed by Portuguese consul general to Macau and Hong Kong Paulo Cunha Alves.[32] Alves vowed to work with Chinese officials to defend Kok's human rights as protected by Portuguese citizenship, but China officials responded that as long as the individual has Hong Kong residency the individual will be treated as a Chinese citizen. Kok was arrested by the Hong Kong police for rioting in the Polytechnic University siege in November 2019.[33]
  • Cheng Tsz-Ho (鄭子豪)(17): He was arrested by Hong Kong police for attempted arson and was on bail. His family went to the police station to report his missing on August 24 to no avail. On the following day, police provided the family with the Chinese Guangdong coastguard arrest order, two days before the official press release from Hong Kong government.[34]
  • Liu Sze-Man (廖子文)(17): Similar to Cheng Tsz-Ho in the same case, Liu was on bail for possession of Molotov in 2019 September.[35]
  • Hoang Lam Phuc (黃臨福)(16): Hoang has Vietnamese citizenship. He was arrested and detained and possibly abused by Hong Kong police, according to a Stand News report in October 2019. He was arrested for alleged arson and possession of three Motolov cocktails.[36]
  • Quinn Moon (喬映瑜): There is not much information available, but she is charged as the co-leader of the group.[23][37]

Background

Map showing the path of the speedboat carrying the Hong Kong 12

Although the capture happened on August 23, no information was released to the public by the Chinese coastguards until August 26.[38] The social media post on August 26 only mentioned the GPS location, the time of arrest, and the number of Hong Kong residents detained.[20]

On August 28, details about the presumed detainees were released to the public by Wen Wei Po, citing "unnamed sources".[39] According to Radio Free Asia, the arrestees were presumably charged of "unlawful border crossing (into China territories)" and are currently in custody in mainland China.[40] The media-published (not officially published by authorities) arrestee names include several Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, some of whom were earlier charged with protest-related crimes by the Hong Kong Police, and one under the new national security law.[citation needed]

According to state-affiliated newspapers, the 12 individuals set out at around 7am on August 23 from a dock located in eastern Hong Kong's Sai Kung. It is reported that they originally planned to reach Taiwan-controlled Pratas, also known as Dongsha Island, then change ship to reach Pingtung County. They were stopped and captured at around 9am at alleged GPS location (21°54'00''N, 114°53'00''E ), a location, if factually stated by Chinese authorities, that is not owned by China, but within its contiguous zone.[41][42][43]

Responses

Hong Kong and China Government responses

August 27–28, 2020

Hong Kong Police denied any cooperation with Chinese authorities in the arrest.[44]

The Hong Kong Security Bureau confirmed having received information relating to the detainees from the Chinese government. The bureau promised to assist family members and detainees.[45]

In Guangdong, the province of China where the coastguards were based, the public safety division and a spokesman of the provincial authorities declined to provide more details.[46]

September 1

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in a press conference that the Hong Kong government would do its part to protect Hong Kong citizens, but if illegal activities occurred in another judiciary region, Hong Kong could not intervene.[47]

September 4

The human rights lawyers Lu Siwei and Ren Quanniu, who had been appointed by the detainee's family members, were denied meeting access. Both of them reported that Chinese officials had attempted to dissuade them from pursuing the case.[16][48]

September 13

After the detainees' family press conference from the day before, in which they had pleaded for intervention by the Hong Kong government and possible extradition, Yantian detention center officially confirmed, for the first time, that the 12 detainees were indeed located in Yantian.[49][50] Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying publicly stated on Twitter that the 12 detainees were criminals trying to "separate Hong Kong from China", a more serious allegation than the "illegal border crossing", and a crime punishable under the Hong Kong national security law.[51][52] The Hong Kong government reaffirmed its stance not to interfere with China's jurisdiction, claiming that the relevant crime "falls within the jurisdiction of the mainland and the special administrative region government respects and will not interfere with law enforcement actions."[53]

September 19

University of Hong Kong students awareness booth on campus on September 22, 2020

Secretary of Security John Lee acknowledged in a TVB interview that Hong Kong authorities had only been informed of the capture five days after, and claimed that all 12 detainees were in good health. He further claimed that the detainees had already chosen their lawyers provided by China.[54] Separately on a radio interview, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung said that "Hong Kong’s Immigration Department, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong had communicated with the families 80 times since the arrests" but claimed that their hands were tied.[55]

September 26

The Hong Kong government issued a press release informing the public that the 12 detainees were now approved to be "arrested".[56] Hong Kong Police also released a report with some data such as speed and coordinates of the boat to clarify the public's concern.[57] According to criminal law in China, the maximum number of days of detention before sending them to the normal criminal court process – a certain form of incommunicado detention – or release on bail is 37 days.[58][59]

September 30

At the end of the 37-day legal limit for detention without further action, two of the 12 were formally charged with organizing smuggling and the remaining 10 individuals were charged with "illegal border crossing".[60]

October 10

Hong Kong police arrested a group of nine people who allegedly had provided financial and other assistance to the detainees before their voyage, and for after their arrival in Taiwan.[61]

October 12

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam made clear that she "no longer wish[es] to discuss matters related to these 12 individuals" when asked by a journalist in a press conference on that day about her effort to safeguard the 12 individuals as she was to visit Shenzhen.[62]

October 23

A request in the Legislative Council to put the 12 detainees on the next meeting agenda, and to have Security Secretary John Lee report on the situation of the detainees as well as the support given to them and their families, was voted down by the pro-Beijing majority.[63]

October 28

Activists familiar with the matter told reporters in a group chat that at least five family-appointed lawyers had received verbal warnings from various levels of Chinese justice bureaus to drop the work for their clients. Prior to this, on October 22, five family-appointed lawyers had visited the detention centre but were again refused entry on the grounds that the detainees had already been assigned two lawyers; family-appointed lawyer Lu Siwei suspected that these might be government-appointed.[64]

November 20

It was reported that seven out of the 12 detainees had written letters to their families, with the earliest dated October 13. There were suspicions that the handwritten letters, which stressed that the detainees were treated well, had been dictated by authorities.[65]

November 27

Police in the Yantian district of Shenzhen said in a posting on Weibo that they had completed their investigation into the case of the 12 detainees, and that they would be sent to the Yantian District People's Procuratorate for "examination and prosecution".[66] There has not been a visit granted since the capture.[67]

December 16

The Chinese government released the names of the now-confirmed detainees' names along with the charges the government was pressing. It said that the two underage detainees' trials would not be open to the public.[10]

December 25

Chinese government officials advised the family members that trials would begin three days later, on December 28.[68]

December 28

At the trial of 10 of the 12 detainees, staff maintained that it was open to the public, but immediately followed this with the advice that the gallery was full. On these grounds, representatives from the United States (which had applied for an audit in accordance with established procedures[69]), the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Portugal, Australia and the Netherlands were denied access to the hearing.[70] Eight of the ten defendants of age were sentenced to seven months of prison terms for illegal border crossing.[13] The two oldest detainees, Quinn Moon and Tang Kai-yin were sentenced to terms of two and three years, respectively.[14]

December 30

Two defendants aged 17 and 18 years were returned to Hong Kong by mainland authorities. The Yantian People's district court said that they had admitted wrongdoing, and that it would not persecute them.[71]

Aftermath

The eight activists of age were returned to Hong Kong police on March 22 and charged by local courts. It was announced on March 24 that security law charges had been laid against Andy Li.[15] The Apple Daily reported on March 28 that according to its sources, Li had been transferred to solitary confinement at a psychiatric hospital.[72] On March 30, a lawyer representing Li appeared in West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, with Li absent as he was still in quarantine isolation. An associate of the lawyer confirmed that they had met Li, but did not disclose information on Li's whereabouts. The family asserted that they had no knowledge of the lawyer.[73]

On April 5, 2021, after completing a two-week quarantine period in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, five of the activists who had been handed back by mainland authorities appeared in a court in Sha Tin over local charges in relation to the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests. They did not apply for bail and were to appear again in court the following month.[74]

On September 2, 2021, eight of the activists, including the two who had been transferred to Hong Kong on December, appeared in court on charges of trying to pervert the course of justice. It was reported that one of them intended to plead guilty.[75] Six of them pleaded guilty in relation to the same charge in July 2022.[76]

After completing her two-year jail term in mainland China, Quinn Moon returned to Hong Kong on August 22, 2022;[77] that same month, she was charged by Hong Kong authorities with perverting the course of justice through her escape attempt, and with possession of dangerous drugs, as 2.98 grams of cannabis had been found in her possession on January 14, 2020.[78] She told the court in June 2023 that she would plead guilty to charges of making explosives, possessing explosives and perverting the course of justice. Tang Kai-yin returned to Hong Kong on August 22, 2023 after completing a three-year jail sentence, where he was handed over to local police.[79] As part of a plea deal with the prosecution, on January 22, 2024 Tang pleaded guilty to possessing "anything with intent to destroy or damage property", specifically material to make petrol bombs with four others in September 2019, after having originally been charged with conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Citing case details unveiled in court, local media reported that the explosives had been intended to attack a procession on October 1.[80] In April 2024, Tang Kai-yin, who upon his return to Hong Kong had pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing materials that could be used to make petrol bombs and perverting the course of justice, was jailed for three years and 10 months.[81]

Presumed detainees' families responses

September 12

Initially limited information from Chinese authorities prompted[79] six of the 12 families held a joint press conference with the help of politicians Owen Chow, Eddie Chu, and James To. The families denounced the Hong Kong government's reluctant approach to assist and the government's refusal to meet with the families. As they sought international support to put pressure on China to follow international human rights protocols, they also asked the Hong Kong government to help negotiate their demands with the Chinese government.[82] The four demands include allowing prescribed medications to be delivered and safely administered to the detainees, allowing phone calls of detainees with families, declining "state-mandated lawyers" assigned by Chinese government, and releasing these individuals to Hong Kong for a fair trial.[83]

First press conference held by families on September 12, 2020.
Localist activist Owen Chow speaking in the second press conference on September 20, 2020.

September 20

Families of the detainees continued to accuse the Hong Kong government as it had "only shirked responsibility and confused the public with mere excuses".[84] Family members asked the Hong Kong government to provide clear and accurate evidence of the maritime radar location, and a recent photo of each detainee, in order to let the captured know the families had appointed lawyers for them.[85]

September 30

Four family members along with several lawmakers went to the Hong Kong Liaison Office to petition. They accused the Hong Kong government of lying to the public, and asked that Security Secretary and Chief Secretary for Administration to allow meetings of the detainees with the families. To date, six lawyers have withdrawn from the case, 13 lawyers were pressured by the Chinese government not to take up the case, and 10 other lawyers were denied access to the detainees.[86]

October 22

Detainees' families continue to try to reach officials at Yantian detention center. Authorities refused meeting requests and claimed that all detainees have been appointed lawyers. Family lawyers further raised concerns about the legality of "state-appointed" lawyers to the only underage detainee.[87]

November 21

Family members and supporters released blue and white balloons written with the detainees' names and well-wishing messages at a peak on Kat O island, an island still within Hong Kong territory but close to Shenzhen's Yantian detention center.[88] Hong Kong coastguards later arrived and alleged violation of social gathering ordinance.[89]

December 12

After the alleged letters penned by the detainees arrived to their Hong Kong families, today the families held a press conference claiming that they received phone calls from self-proclaimed "lawyers of the detainees". The Mandarin-speaking callers allegedly asked family members for details of the detainees' Hong Kong arrest and charges, and not to mention the names of the "government-appointed lawyers".[90]

Hong Kong residents' responses

September

On September 2, a Sha Tin District representative initiated a Google Form petition pleading that the Hong Kong government made sure the 12 detainees be released and returned to Hong Kong, citing precarious human rights practices by the Chinese authorities and the scarcity of information.[91][92]

Netizens started a hashtag "#save12hkyouths", hoping to spread the awareness of the "black-box operation" of Chinese government to social media.[93]

Sha Tin district representative street booth on September 23, 2020, in support of the 12 detainees

Throughout the month of September, over a hundred Hong Kong district representatives set up street booths to raise awareness of these 12 individuals. Police often interfered.[94][95]

Beginning September 22, students from the University of Hong Kong set up booths as they returned to the campus to bring awareness of the incident and collect well-wishes postcards.[92] On October 1, as Hong Kong residents celebrated the annual mid-autumn festival, district representatives and various pro-democracy group set up street booths to voice their support of the detainees.[96]

October

On October 2, a few Hong Kong supporters hiked for two hours to reach the top of Lion Rock, a symbolic Hong Kong mountain top, to showcase a "Save 12" neon-light sign.[97]

This message 「望天滅中共還我十二」roughly translates to "Pray to God that Chinese Communism be annihilated so the 12 can safely return to us" was put out on October 13, 2020, in Kwun Tong.

On October 7, a vertical protest banner was unfurled on Kowloon Peak with the phrase "Unlawful Detainment; Release the 12" (「禁錮無理 釋放12子」).[98]

A virtual rally by the "Save 12 Hong Kong Youths" concern group on October 25, livestreamed over Facebook, had almost 320,000 viewers joining. In his opening statement, activist Owen Chow suggested that Hong Kong authorities had conspired with their mainland counterparts to send Hongkongers to China.[99] Previously on October 6, the city's Chief Executive Carrie Lam had ruled out any involvement by Hong Kong police in the interception.[100]

Hong Kong district councillors and activist group Student Politicism have been holding street booths to raise awareness of the detainment. On October 27 police fined and ticketed several people at a street booth in Tsuen Wan,[99] and on December 2 police arrested the same group at a booth in Mong Kok, citing "disorderly conduct".[101]

In addition to holding street booths in the city, on October 27 it was also discovered that the words "FREE HK SAVE 12" were painted on the helicopter pad of Tai Mei Tuk country park.[102][103]

November

At the one-year anniversary memorial of Siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Siege of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong citizens put together a "SAVE 12" sign using locks on a wired fence outside of Polytechnic University. The locks have the 12 presumed detainees' names and messages such as "send them home" written on them.[104]

During Chinese University's graduation ceremony graduates displayed a giant "SAVE 12 HK" black banner on school building. They also hold cards with "SAVE12" and released black balloons with the words "SAVE12".[105][106][107]

On November 30, the 100th day of detention, League of Social Democrats held street booths and petitions for two days in Causeway Bay. They also marched to the Central post office with their "SAVE 12" signage and postcards written by citizens.[108] and Amnesty International also posted a statement urging China to release the 12 detainees.[109] At night, Hong Kong citizens raised a neon-light "SAVE 12" sign on Lion Rock to show their support and continue to bring awareness.[110]

December

On December 10, also known as international Human Rights Day, chairman and vice-chairman of pro-democracy League of Social Democrats protested outside of Chinese Liaison office, chanting "Save 12" and holding signs.[111]

Hong Kong activists and supporters in London held a "one year commemoration" of the university sieges on December 12. Many participants held "SAVE12HKYOUTHS" signs and folded origami boats to bring awareness of the detainment.[112]

International responses

Portugal

Portuguese Consul-General for Macao and Hong Kong confirmed that one of the detainees, surnamed Kok, has Portuguese citizenship from his Macau ties, but the consulate stressed that it would only provide humanitarian assistance, and not legal support, to Kok.[113]

Isabel Santos, a Portuguese politician who has been a Member of the European Parliament, had requested the Chinese government for a visit to Kok.[114]

United States

On September 12, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed "grave concern" about the situation and questioned "Chief Executive Lam’s stated commitment to protecting the rights of Hong Kong residents, and call on authorities to ensure due process".[115] The next day U.S. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus tweeted the arrests were “another example of the deterioration of human rights in Hong Kong”, and urged China to “ensure due process”.[116]

On October 13, US State Secretary Michael Pompeo defended the 12 Hong Kong residents in the virtual award speech, saying that they had "committed no crime" but were detained by China while allegedly fleeing Hong Kong for Taiwan. Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law praised IRI for its continued support for Hong Kong's political freedom, and called upon all freedom-loving countries to resist Chinese authoritarianism.[117][118]

Taiwan

While many protesters who had fled Hong Kong for Taiwan since the LegCo storming in July 2019 later returned to Hong Kong, activists have put the number of those remaining in Taiwan as of June 2020 at over 200.[119] When asked by media about Hong Kong residents seeking asylum in Taiwan by boat, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang stated that "the government cared deeply about people from Hong Kong" but in regard to "the help to Hong Kong people, certain individual cases we cannot reveal".[120][121] Mainland Affairs Council also discouraged any means to entry Taiwan by illegal methods.[122]

United Kingdom

Among the 12 presumed detainees four of them hold British National Overseas (BNO) passports. On October 13, the British Parliament held a discussion on Hong Kong. Parliament member Nigel Adams stated that while the UK government had already reached out to Chinese government regarding the rights of these four individuals, the Chinese government "absolutely would not grant UK consular access" because China does not recognize dual citizenship and BNOs-entitled consular assistance is not granted in Hong Kong, Macau or mainland China.[123] On October 21, over 60 Parliament members urged Foreign Minister Dominic Raab to make it a "diplomatic priority" to pressure Carrie Lam and his Beijing counterpart to release the 12 activists.[124][125] Raab responded several days later that UK officials have reached out to the BNO-owned families and has been pressing the issue on several occasions already and would continue to press for transparency.[126]

Canada

On November 16, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister, François-Philippe Champagne, received an open letter penned by 25 Canadian cross party parliamentarians urging the Canadian official to "call on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and [Champagne's] counterpart in Beijing to immediately ensure the return of the twelve activists to Hong Kong, to guarantee that they have legal representation of their choosing, contact with their families, and to ensure the young people access to necessary prescribed medication."[127]

Global

On December 2, the 100th day of the capture with zero contact from the detainees, over 150 parliamentarians from 18 different countries jointly called on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam to intercede and "ensure that they are guaranteed justice”.[128] The signatories, according to organization Hong Kong Watch, include Parliamentarians from "Australia, Canada, Denmark, EU, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Sweden, Uganda, UK, and USA".[129]

Netizens

October
Protests in front of Chinese embassy in London on China's national holiday on October 1, 2020.

On October 1, 2020, groups of protesters appeared in front of London's Chinese embassy with signs demanding the release of the 12 detainees.[130]

Since early October, various international figures such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg[131] and artist, cartoonist and rights activist Badiucao have held up "#Save12HKYouth" in social media to help bring awareness to the 12 detainees.[132] The campaign was initiated by human rights organization Hong Kong Watch, and it termed this detainment as the "watershed case for Hong Kong" that will influence if extraditing pro-democracy activists to stand trial in the mainland would become a common occurrence.[133][134]

Over the weekend from October 23–25, over 30 cities around the world had support events bringing awareness of these 12 detainees to the citizens and their local governments.[135][136][137]

Pro-democracy activist Nathan Law speaking at the London solidarity event on October 24, 2020.

Controversies

Exact capture location unverified

Although Chinese coastguards released the GPS coordinates of the capture, there is no other substantial evidence to support its claim that the location was outside Chinese borders. Although Hong Kong Police stated that there was no evidence to substantiate that Chinese coastguards had entered Hong Kong waters,[138] some Hong Kong fishermen[who?] reached out to Hong Kong lawyers said they witnessed the capture had been within Hong Kong.[139]

Extended and delayed trial date

Whereas Hong Kong has had an internationally respected judiciary system, China has had its human rights violations documented internationally.[140][141] The treatment of these 12 detainees was a grave concern for many.[142] Even as the 12 had now been formally arrested after over 30 days of detention, there was no clear indication when the prosecution and trial would take place.[143][23]

Allegations about role of Hong Kong Police in the arrest

On September 20, two families' members revealed to news reporters that they had separately gone to the police stations to report their missing sons on August 24, one day after the capture. While the missing person reports were not accepted by police, one policeman showed a record of the missing person's cellphone record to the family member, raising questions on how the records were obtained two days after the capture but three days before the news broke. The other family member was told that the son was now detained in Yantian, days before the detention location was reported by media.[144]

On October 5, it was reported that the Hong Kong Government Flying Service (GFS) had allegedly tracked the boat before it was captured. According to data from the flight tracking website FlightAware, an aircraft belonging to the GFS took off from the Hong Kong International Airport at 4:19 am on August 23 and circled around Sai Kung until 7:00 am, which was when the 12 detainees allegedly departed from Sai Kung. The aircraft then travelled towards southeastern Hong Kong waters at 7:30 am, which also coincides with the time the 12 detainees allegedly crossed the southeastern Hong Kong boundary. The legislator Jeremy Tam, who has also worked as a pilot, pointed out that it was very likely that the GFS aircraft was conducting surveillance on the boat, and that the Hong Kong Government may have provided information of the speedboat to Mainland law enforcement. Chief Executive Carrie Lam had ruled out any involvement by Hong Kong police in the interception of the twelve, stating that she believed "a tiny fraction of people" had not given up on "any opportunity to smear the Hong Kong government, to attack the police, to fabricate this and that".[100]

Trial

In August 2021, Andy Li pleaded guilty in the High Court to conspiring to collude with Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai, his aide Mark Simon, and foreign forces. The prosecution said Li helped fundraise HK$24.4 million and received over HK$5 million from Lai and Simon. One of their goals was to urge other countries through newspaper articles to sanction the mainland and the Hong Kong SAR.[145]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2020 detainment of Hong Kong residents at sea by China.

References

  1. ^ "Hong Kong 12 who fled by boat for Taiwan held in 'criminal detention' by China". the Guardian. September 15, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "Trials begin for 10 of the 'Hong Kong 12' detained at sea". Al Jazeera. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  3. ^ "Police make fresh arrests over 'Hong Kong 12'". Deutsche Welle. January 14, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  4. ^ "12 Hongkongers are now being subject to China's murky criminal system - their compatriots should learn what's at stake". Hong Kong Free Press. October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  5. ^ Kuo, Lily; Davidson, Helen (August 27, 2020). "Twelve arrested at sea while trying to flee to Taiwan from Hong Kong". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  6. ^ Soo, Zen (September 14, 2020). "China confirms it detained 12 Hong Kongers at sea last month". KSAT / Associated Press. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  7. ^ "China: 12 Hong Kong Protesters Held Incommunicado". Human Rights Watch. September 28, 2020. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  8. ^ "Lee Ka-chiu says HK will not meddle in mainland law enforcement". The Standard. September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  9. ^ Lau, Jack (September 30, 2020). "Hong Kong national security law: 26 arrests so far, resignation of a foreign judge, and suspension of a middle school pupil mark third month". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Ho, Kelly (December 17, 2020). "Chinese authorities officially prosecute ten of the 12 Hong Kong fugitives". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  11. ^ Sit, Frances (December 30, 2020). "Released detainees face extra charges: police". rthk.hk. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  12. ^ Lung, Natalie; Lindberg, Kari (December 30, 2020). "Hong Kong Activists Caught Fleeing Sentenced to Up to 3 Years in Prison by Mainland Court". Time. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Soo, Zen (December 30, 2020). "China sentences 10 seeking to flee Hong Kong to prison terms". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  14. ^ a b "China jails 10 Hong Kong activists, but two under-18s repatriated". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Ho, Kelly (March 24, 2021). "Hong Kong police charge activist Andy Li under security law after release from Chinese prison". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Wong, Rachel (September 9, 2020). "Rights lawyer says China may have appointed 'state lawyers' to Hongkonger arrested whilst fleeing by boat". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  17. ^ "EU demands China release 12 Hong Kong activists as trial begins". Al Jazeera. December 29, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  18. ^ "Hong Kong: China arrests 10 after intercepting boat 'fleeing Hong Kong'". www.bbc.com. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on September 2, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  19. ^ a b "Mainland confirms arrest of 12 'who fled to Taiwan'". rthk.hk. August 28, 2020. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  20. ^ a b "怒海之後 12 港人送中案全紀錄專頁 | 互動專頁 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  21. ^ "Families fear for Hong Kong 'speedboat fugitives' in China custody". Hong Kong Free Press / AFP. September 12, 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  22. ^ "【潛逃港人】12港人涉嫌偷渡案 鄧棨然原被控串謀意圖縱火 負責開快艇" (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  23. ^ a b c "China approves arrest of Hong Kong 'speedboat fugitives' as 2 face more serious charges". Hong Kong Free Press / AFP. October 1, 2020. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  24. ^ Davidson, Helen; Ball, Andy (n.d.). "The arrested: Hongkongers caught up in Beijing's national security law". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  25. ^ "李宇軒年初接受本台專訪：「香港自由民主法治化為烏有」". Radio Free Asia (in Cantonese). Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  26. ^ "A Hong Kong protester's farewell note and failed escape". www.japantimes.co.jp / Reuters. September 25, 2020. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  27. ^ "眾新聞 | 【12港人內地拘留】上水製炸藥案被告涉潛逃被拘留內地 裁判官令充公75萬元保釋金". 眾新聞 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  28. ^ "被扣深圳港人家屬稱兒子在港控罪與國安法無關". Now 新聞 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  29. ^ "遊行前夕被搜攻擊性武器 公大生再申保釋終獲批 (18:20) - 20191227 - 港聞". 明報新聞網 - 即時新聞 instant news (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  30. ^ "7人被控串謀遊行傷警及藏槍 4被告續還柙 | 獨媒報導". 香港獨立媒體網. April 3, 2020. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  31. ^ 馮家淇 (December 9, 2019). "【警檢真槍案】5青年涉串謀傷人 控方指短訊曾提：槍手會亂開槍". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  32. ^ "Portuguese envoy pledges 'humanitarian' support for detained Hongkonger". South China Morning Post. September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  33. ^ "【潛逃離港】12偷渡被捕人士中1人持葡國護照 因有港人身份被視為中國籍" (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  34. ^ "【港人送中第 25 天】專訪鄭子豪家姐：弟稱出門釣魚 當日一別重聚無期 政府部門「十問九唔知」 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  35. ^ 頭條日報. "5男涉灣仔藏汽油彈原料 改控串謀意圖縱火等兩罪". 頭條日報 Headline Daily (in Chinese). Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  36. ^ "【10.13 衝突】被控縱火等罪 被告投訴遭警迫唱《願榮光歸警察》 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  37. ^ "12港人以偷渡及組織偷渡罪被捕 將在中國受審 香港數團體請願促送回港". RFI - 法國國際廣播電台 (in Traditional Chinese). October 1, 2020. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  38. ^ "China arrests at least 10 at sea; HK media say suspects fleeing to Taiwan". Reuters. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  39. ^ "China arrests 12 fleeing Hong Kong by boat". The Hindu / AFP. August 28, 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  40. ^ "Chinese Coast Guard Seizes Boat, Arrests 12 Hong Kong Protesters". Radio Free Asia. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  41. ^ "眾新聞 | 中國海警截非法越境者 據報李宇軒等12港人赴台失敗被送中 鄧炳強︰未收通知". 眾新聞 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  42. ^ "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone". www.lawinfochina.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  43. ^ "李宇軒等 12 人據報乘艇赴台被截獲 鄧炳強：事前不知情 非跨境合作 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  44. ^ "12 港青據報乘快艇擬赴台 被中國海警截獲送中 包括被港警國安處拘捕李宇軒 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on September 2, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  45. ^ "保安局：警方接內地通報12名港人被採取刑事強制措施 - RTHK". news.rthk.hk (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  46. ^ admin (August 28, 2020). "China Captures Hong Kong Activists Fleeing to Taiwan by Sea". 24 News Order. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  47. ^ "反送中12港青逃亡被逮 林鄭月娥暗示應「送中」". Radio Free Asia (in Cantonese). Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  48. ^ "12 港人送中 內地律師今申請會見再被拒 指當事人已被委派官派律師 續要求會晤核實 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  49. ^ "China claims 12 detained Hongkongers are 'separatists,' as democrat warns they may become diplomatic 'bargaining chips'". Hong Kong Free Press. September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  50. ^ Soo, Zen (September 14, 2020). "China confirms it detained 12 Hong Kongers at sea last month". Daily Herald / Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  51. ^ Soo, Zen. "China confirms it detained 12 Hong Kongers at sea last month". ABC News / Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  52. ^ "Captured Hongkongers are separatists, says Beijing - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  53. ^ "Hong Kong says it will 'not interfere' in China detention of 12". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  54. ^ "All detainees have picked their lawyers: John Lee - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  55. ^ "Hongkongers held in mainland China 'selected lawyers' from". Hong Kong News. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  56. ^ "Twelve Hong Kong suspects alleged of illegal entry to Mainland". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  57. ^ "港警版本：「12人船」出香港水域後減速近半 | 朱凱廸 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  58. ^ Su, Alice; Cheung, Rachel (September 25, 2020). "A nightmare comes true for 12 Hong Kongers arrested at sea, now in Chinese detention". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  59. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20201027235441/https://www.cecc.gov/sites/chinacommission.house.gov/files/documents/PRC%20Criminal%20Procedure%20Law%20Chinese.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 27, 2020. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  60. ^ "眾新聞 | 【12港人罪名】鄧棨然、喬映瑜涉組織偷渡 其餘10人涉偷越邊境 家屬：沒機會團圓是生是死都不知". 眾新聞 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  61. ^ "Hong Kong police arrest smuggling group for helping speedboat fugitives". Hong Kong Free Press / AFP. October 10, 2020. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  62. ^ "【送中 51 日】林鄭赴深圳賀特區成立 40 年 被問會否探望 12 港人：每星期都問呢啲 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  63. ^ "Case of 12 HK detainees kept off Legco's agenda - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  64. ^ Wong, Rachel (October 28, 2020). "Lawyers for fugitive Hongkongers detained in China ordered to drop case". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  65. ^ Wong, Rachel (November 20, 2020). "In translation: Families get letters from Hongkongers detained in China, but concern group suspects wording was dictated". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  66. ^ Ho, Kelly (November 27, 2020). "Twelve Hong Kong fugitives to face prosecution in China after three months in detention". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  67. ^ "Shenzhen police complete probe into 12 Hongkongers - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  68. ^ Chang, Chris (December 26, 2020). "12 Hong Kong fugitives to go on trial Dec. 28". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  69. ^ "美國國務院指駐廣州總領事館已申請旁聽「12港人案」 - RTHK". news.rthk.hk (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  70. ^ Lau, Chris (December 29, 2020). "Explainer: With judgment still pending, here's what we know about the 12 Hong Kong fugitives detained in Shenzhen". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  71. ^ Ho, Kelly (December 30, 2020). "Two Hong Kong teen 'speedboat fugitives' may face additional charges after return from China". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  72. ^ "Hong Kong activist Andy Li held at psychiatric hospital in secret after return from mainland". Apple Daily (English edition). March 28, 2021. Archived from the original on March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  73. ^ Ho, Kelly (March 31, 2021). "Mystery lawyer appears in court for Hong Kong activist Andy Li, but family still don't know where he is". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  74. ^ Wong, Brian (April 5, 2021). "Five Hong Kong fugitives recently returned by mainland authorities make first court appearance after completing quarantine". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  75. ^ Chau, Candice (September 2, 2021). "8 Hong Kong activists who tried to flee to Taiwan appear in court". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  76. ^ Ho, Kelly (July 14, 2022). "Six Hong Kong men who tried to flee to Taiwan plead guilty to perverting course of justice". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  77. ^ Lee, Peter (August 22, 2022). "Hong Kong activist returns to city after 2 years in mainland Chinese jail over role in speedboat escape bid". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  78. ^ Leung, Hillary (August 23, 2022). "Hongkonger who attempted to escape to Taiwan charged with perverting course of justice, drug possession". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  79. ^ a b Chan, Irene (August 23, 2023). "Last of 12 Hongkongers caught by China during escape bid handed over to police after 3 years in mainland prison". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  80. ^ Ho, Kelly (January 22, 2024). "Hongkonger who tried to flee to Taiwan in 2020 faces jail time over alleged petrol bomb plot". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  81. ^ Ho, Kelly (April 16, 2024). "Hongkonger jailed for 3 years, 10 months over 2019 petrol bomb plot and failed escape to Taiwan". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  82. ^ Wong, Rachel (September 12, 2020). "'I feel helpless': mother of Hongkonger captured by Chinese marine police pledges to fight on". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  83. ^ "【12 港人送中】家屬晤傳媒 哭訴被捕者音訊全無生死未卜 轟港府無實質協助 拒絕中國「官派律師」 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  84. ^ Pang, Jessie; Murdoch, Scott (September 20, 2020). "Relatives of 12 Hong Kong people arrested by China demand access for own lawyers". Reuters. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  85. ^ "【12港人】家屬報警促交代海巡及雷達紀錄 釐清「到底喺邊度拉」 | 獨媒報導". 香港獨立媒體網. September 20, 2020. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  86. ^ "12 港人家屬中聯辦請願 家屬哽咽：中秋不快樂 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  87. ^ "【送中第 61 日】五家屬委託律師再被拒見當事人 質疑公安局委派律師予未成年人不合法 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  88. ^ Pomfret, Jessie Pang, James (November 21, 2020). "Families of detained Hong Kong dozen protest on island near Chinese prison". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  89. ^ 頭條日報. "【潛逃台灣】12港人家屬吉澳放氣球表達關注 警到場指違限聚令". 頭條日報 Headline Daily (in Chinese). Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  90. ^ "12 港人家屬再收「家書」要求找律師代承認在港控罪 官派律師來電問在港案情 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  91. ^ "鄒家成指李宇軒等 12 人仍被扣押 料 10.1 前確定會否逮捕 區議員聯署要求港府安排回港 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  92. ^ a b "趙柱幫【幫您發聲】". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  93. ^ "#Save12HKYouth: Effects of Hong Kong's National Security Law". Raise the Voices. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  94. ^ "12港人送中｜逾百區議員街站聲援 李予信冀有千千萬萬明信片寄去鹽田 讓中國見到港人關注". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  95. ^ Davidson, Helen (September 30, 2020). "Families plead for Hong Kong activists accused of trying to flee by speedboat". The Guardian. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  96. ^ "三女生拒賀中秋：上年今日有人中槍，今日仲有12手足喺深圳，唔值得慶祝 | 獨媒報導". 香港獨立媒體網 (in Chinese). October 2020. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  97. ^ "登獅子山舉燈牌籲關注 12 港人 16 歲中六女生：藉盞燈同佢哋講，我哋陪你 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  98. ^ "飛鵝山掛「禁錮無理 釋放12子」直幡 (08:51) - 20201007 - 港聞". 即時新聞. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  99. ^ a b Cheng, Selina (October 27, 2020). "Police hand out Covid-19 fines to activists rallying for 'Hong Kong 12' held in China, amid global campaign for release". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  100. ^ a b Ho, Kelly (October 6, 2020). "Lam says Hong Kong police played no part in detention of 12 Hongkongers at sea after report of air surveillance". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  101. ^ "Seven street booth organizers out on bail". Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  102. ^ "大美督水壩直升機坪 現「FREE HK SAVE 12」大字 ｜ 蘋果日報". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  103. ^ 凌逸德 (October 27, 2020). "大美督直升機坪遭噴大字 現關注扣押內地12港人字眼". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  104. ^ "大學保衛戰一周年 理大行人天橋現「光復香港」". Radio Free Asia. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  105. ^ "CUHK graduates stage protest at school". Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  106. ^ "中大畢業生校內遊行紀念反修例、扣押內地12港人 校方報警 教育局譴責 (20:28) - 20201119 - 港聞". 明報新聞網 - 即時新聞 instant news (in Traditional Chinese). Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  107. ^ "中大生趁畢業禮遊行：不忍人民忘記《榮光》歌詞，用力喊口號 | 朝雲 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  108. ^ "「12子」遭大陸關押百日 港人寄慰問信盼早回家". 希望之聲 www.soundofhope.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). November 30, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  109. ^ "【香港】100天過去了，中國當局須保障12港人的權利". 國際特赦組織台灣分會. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  110. ^ "【12港青送中】12港人被捕100日 市民望夫石舉「SAVE 12」紀念｜852郵報". 852郵報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). November 30, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  111. ^ "社民連國際人權日中聯辦外抗議 促釋放所有政治犯 | 獨媒報導". 香港獨立媒體網. December 10, 2020. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  112. ^ "倫敦港人集會 二百人獻花默哀 悼中大理大戰 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  113. ^ "Portuguese envoy pledges 'humanitarian' support for detained Hongkonger". South China Morning Post. September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  114. ^ "Pedido para visitar português detido na China". Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  115. ^ "Relatives urge China to return 12 detainees to Hong Kong". AP NEWS. September 12, 2020. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  116. ^ "REFILE-Hong Kong says will not interfere with Chinese law enforcement arrest of 12 residents at sea". Reuters. September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  117. ^ "Pompeo defends 12 Hong Kongers detained by China". AP NEWS. October 14, 2020. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  118. ^ "America Stands for Freedom". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  119. ^ Watt, Louise (June 25, 2020). "Hong Kong protesters flee to Taiwan to continue China resistance". the Guardian. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  120. ^ "Taiwan holding five Hong Kongers picked up at sea - sources". Reuters. September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  121. ^ "Flight of Hong Kong protesters piles pressure on Taiwan". Reuters. September 30, 2020. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  122. ^ "Mainland Affairs Council urges Hong Kongers to enter Taiwan legally". Central News Agency. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  123. ^ "Hong Kong: National Security Law - Hansard". hansard.parliament.uk. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  124. ^ "63 MPs / Peers call for Dominic Raab to make 12 HK youths 'diplomatic priority'". Hong Kong Watch. October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  125. ^ "MPs urge Dominic Raab to demand China return detained Hong Kong protesters". the Guardian. October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  126. ^ "【送中 75 日】英外相藍韜文：已數次向中港政府表達關注 12 港人 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  127. ^ "25 Canadian Parliamentarians call on the Foreign Affairs Minister to urge China to return the 12 Hong Kong youths detained for over eighty days in Shenzhen". Hong Kong Watch. November 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  128. ^ "Parliamentarians from 18 countries urge HK to intervene in China detention case". Reuters. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  129. ^ "NEW: 155 parliamentarians from 18 countries publish open letter to Carrie Lam on case of 12 HK youths, 100 days after they were detained in Shenzhen". Hong Kong Watch. December 2020. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  130. ^ Kwan, Rhoda (October 7, 2020). "In Pictures: Ambassador demands UK take action after protesters chant slogans, burn Chinese flag outside embassy". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  131. ^ Davidson, Helen (October 21, 2020). "Save 12 HK youths: campaign to free boat detainees goes global". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  132. ^ "拯救遭中扣押12港人 瑞典環保少女、「王婆婆」聲援 - 國際 - 自由時報電子報". news.ltn.com.tw (in Chinese). October 17, 2020. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  133. ^ "The campaign to save the 12 Hong Kong youths". Hong Kong Watch. October 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  134. ^ 自由時報電子報 (October 16, 2020). "響應香港監察 「毋忘義士、釋放十二」 中國流亡畫師罕見露臉 - 國際". 自由時報電子報 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  135. ^ "十二港青：全球30城市聲援如箭在弦". Radio Free Asia (in Cantonese). Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  136. ^ 世界新聞網. "聲援12港青 全球38城響應 家屬斥北京、香港互踢皮球". 世界新聞網 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  137. ^ "Hundreds march in Taiwan to support 12 detainees - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  138. ^ "警方稱經檢視無發現內地海警船進入本港水域 - RTHK". news.rthk.hk (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  139. ^ "【12港青送中】郭卓堅稱蝦艇船家目擊公安在港水域拘人 林卓廷籲證人公開講述事發經過｜852郵報". 852郵報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). September 16, 2020. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  140. ^ "Everything you need to know about human rights in China". www.amnesty.org. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  141. ^ "China's Global Threat to Human Rights". World Report 2020: Rights Trends in China's Global Threat to Human Rights. January 3, 2020. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  142. ^ Ramzy, Austin; Yu, Elaine (September 29, 2020). "For Hong Kong Protesters Caught at Sea, Trial in China Is Likely". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  143. ^ "China approves arrest of 12 Hong Kong speedboat fugitives". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  144. ^ "【送中 29 天】家屬赴警總報案 促確認 12 人情況 公開雷達、巡邏紀錄 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞". 立場新聞 Stand News. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  145. ^ Chow, Carine (August 20, 2021). "Activists plead guilty, reveal collusion link with tycoon". The Standard.