BEIJING (AP) - Nathan Law, an overseas Hong Kong activist, reported that he was denied entry to Singapore over the weekend, which he believes was politically motivated. Law, who currently resides in London, disclosed that he was detained at Singapore's airport on Saturday night and informed four hours later that his entry had been refused. His intention was to participate in a closed-door, invitation-only event, although he did not provide further details about the gathering.
Law's situation is part of a broader trend, as many activists have fled Hong Kong in recent years following the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020. This law has led to severe repercussions for dissenters, including imprisonment. Law had obtained a visa from Singapore specifically for the event and had traveled on a flight from San Francisco. However, after spending about 14 hours in Singapore without an explanation for the entry denial, he boarded a return flight to San Francisco on Sunday.
In a statement, Law remarked, “I think the decision to deny my entry was political, although I am unsure whether external forces, such as the PRC, are involved, directly or indirectly.” The acronym PRC refers to the People's Republic of China. Law chose not to elaborate further on his experience, and the Singapore Home Affairs Ministry has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the incident.
Hong Kong, while under Chinese sovereignty, operates under a separate legal system. The Chinese central government intensified its crackdown on dissent following widespread anti-government protests in 2019, leading to the enactment of the National Security Law the following year. Law gained prominence as a student leader during the pro-democracy Umbrella Revolution in 2014, a movement that also featured notable figures such as Joshua Wong, who is currently imprisoned in Hong Kong.
In 2023, Hong Kong police announced a bounty of 1 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $127,600) for information leading to the arrest of Nathan Law and other self-exiled activists for alleged violations of the National Security Law. Law previously held a position in the legislative council after being elected in 2016 but was disqualified when he raised his voice while taking an oath of allegiance to China, making it sound like a question, an action that the authorities deemed unacceptable.
The political climate surrounding Hong Kong and its activists remains tense, particularly with the enforcement of the National Security Law that has restricted freedoms and silenced dissent. The ongoing ramifications for activists and the continued denial of entry, as in Law’s case, raise concerns about the broader implications for freedom of expression and political dissent in the region.
