Claudia Mo, 66 years old, has been detained since her arrest in 2021 for violating a contentious national security law. 54 British MPs and prominent figures have demanded the release of a former Hong Kong lawmaker for her to visit her critically ill spouse.
Her spouse, British journalist Philip Bowring, is in a critical care unit in Hong Kong with pneumonia.
The organization has requested the British Foreign Secretary to bring the family’s situation to the attention of Hong Kong authorities.
The letter dated February 24 read,
“With Philip’s deteriorating medical condition, we request you to intervene on Claudia Mo’s behalf with the Hong Kong government… so she can be with her husband.”
It was also asserted that the British foreign office had a “particular responsibility” for Ms. Mo’s well-being because her husband and two children are British nationals.
Ms. Mo had previously held British citizenship, which she renounced upon being elected to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong’s legislature.
The former lawmaker is a member of the so-called Hong Kong 47 gang, which is currently on trial for “subversion.” She was among the dozens of pro-democracy party members that were detained in 2020 for organizing and holding an unofficial primary election.
The organization comprises famous pro-democracy figures from the city, including student activist Joshua Wong and law professor Benny Tai. The majority of them have been jailed on security concerns for the past two years.
Hong Kong Watch, a UK-based human rights organization that organized the letter, told the BBC that Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had not yet responded.
Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, is among the signatories, along with former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, chairman of the Conservative Party’s 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady, and former leader of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron.
It asks the British government to exert pressure on Hong Kong authorities to win the release of 47 opposition politicians and activists.
Many of the 47 charged had British National Overseas (BNO) status, which, under a special visa scheme, allows Hong Kong citizens to enter the United Kingdom for up to five years and apply for permanent residency.
The trial of the Hong Kong 47 is presently underway; however, 31 defendants, including Ms. Mo, Mr. Wong, and Mr. Tai, have already pled guilty and will be sentenced following the trial.
Opponents assert that the national security law is being used to stifle dissent, whilst Chinese and Hong Kong officials insist it is necessary to quell unrest.
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