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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Jul 4

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

Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Jul 4

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.

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Jul 4

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.

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Jul 4

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?...

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

YouTube video by DW News

youtu.be

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Jul 4

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/...

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Jun 29

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.

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Jun 17

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...

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 12

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

https://gov.cn/zhengce/202505…

Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 12

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.

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 12

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”.

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 12

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.

Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 12

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.

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 12

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.

Hong Kong Free Press HKFP @hongkongfp.com · May 12

Hong Kong authorities have proposed establishing a mechanism to allow mainland China to exercise jurisdiction over national security cases. In full: buff.ly/1v4926f

HK floats mechanism to allow Beijing to exercise jurisdiction over nat. sec cases

Hong Kong authorities have proposed establishing a mechanism to allow mainland China to exercise jurisdiction over national security cases.

buff.ly

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 9

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.

Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 9

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.

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 9

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.

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · May 9

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...

Opinion | Cardinal Zen Refuses to Flee From the Wolves

He has returned to Hong Kong to be with his flock.

www.wsj.com

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Apr 29

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

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Apr 29

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...

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Eric Lai 黎恩灝

The Guardian @theguardian.com · Apr 29

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...

www.theguardian.com

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Apr 29

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.

ISHR @ishr.ch · Apr 28

📢 ISHR launches a key report uncovering #China's tactics to block civil society’s access to the #UnitedNations.

Deferrals of NGO accreditation applications, reprisals against activists, growing number of 'government-organised NGOs' - read the full story here: ishr.ch/latest-updat...

New ISHR report uncovers China’s tactics to block civil society access to the United Nations

The Chinese government has made extensive use of its membership of UN human rights bodies and soared the presence of Chinese GONGOs to deter and prevent independent NGOs and human rights defenders…

ishr.ch

Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Apr 22

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

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Eric Lai 黎恩灝 @ericyhlai.bsky.social · Apr 21

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.

Reposted by Eric Lai 黎恩灝

NPR @npr.org · Apr 21

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

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.

www.npr.org

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Reposted by Eric Lai 黎恩灝

Hong Kong Accountability Archive @hkaccountability.bsky.social · Apr 9

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.

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Reposted by Eric Lai 黎恩灝

Emily Feng @emilyzfeng.bsky.social · Mar 24

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

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

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.

www.npr.org

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