HONG KONG: ACTIVISTS SUFFER UNDER SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

Dear Commissioner Wong,

I am writing to express my grave concern for detained activists Chow Hang-tung, Jimmy Lai, and Owen Chow, who are currently detained in correctional institutions. They have been charged solely for their peaceful exercise of human rights.

It is alarming to read reports that indicate they are currently, or were previously, subjected to prolonged periods of solitary confinement. While authorities have sometimes claimed – including in Lai’s case – that solitary confinement was imposed at the inmates’ own request, Amnesty International research has found that some inmates in Hong Kong have been coerced into making such requests.

The practices also raise serious concerns, as solitary confinement appears to be used in a way that is punitive or retaliatory rather than for legitimate prison management purposes. Chow Hang-tung has said she often faced solitary confinement after exercising her right to freedom of expression, for example by drafting an acceptance statement for the CCBE Human Rights Award and undertaking a hunger strike to commemorate the Tiananmen crackdown. In accordance with international standards, solitary confinement should only be used as an exceptional measure, for as short a time as possible, and must never exceed 15 days under any circumstances.

I call on you to immediately stop imposing unlawful solitary confinement on Chow Hang-tung, Jimmy Lai, Owen Chow and all imprisoned activists. I urge you to review and amend the current Prison Rules to ensure full compliance with international standards. Finally, I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release the above individuals and any other detainees who are imprisoned simply for their exercise of human rights.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]