Overview

• Authorities invoked the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance to cancel passports for 12 of the 16 activists and bar any financial transactions with them.
• The measures prohibit leasing property to or forming joint ventures with the designated individuals and impose up to seven years in prison for violators.
• The activists are among 19 people wanted since July for alleged roles in an unofficial “Hong Kong Parliament” deemed subversive by police.
• Named targets include Victor Ho, Australian academic Chongyi Feng and US citizen Gong Sasha, who are hiding in the UK, United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand and Taiwan.
• The United States, United Kingdom and European Union have condemned the actions as extraterritorial repression of fundamental freedoms.