Lee Cheuk-yan, General Secretary of the independent Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), has received a prison sentence of 14 months for his role in organizing peaceful protests in support of democracy in August 2019. Eight other people have also been sentenced.
- More than 100,000 people have been arrested for their participation in the mass protests for democracy as Beijing escalates efforts to crush the popular movement
- The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions released a powerful statement: “We are infuriated by such tyranny, and we will not be intimidated by any political prosecution. We will continue to stand our ground to walk with our fellow Hong Kong people…The increasingly turbulent times call for us to step in and step up. When those before us are gone, it is then we take matters into our hands; it is then we continue the resistance. So as long the belief remains, the resistance of Hong Kong will continues. We can be physically imprisoned, but our conscience continues to remain free. The people of Hong Kong, imprisoned or not, will remain in solidarity and continue to fight for a democratic future.”
- IUF Asia/Pacific further demands: “[W]e must be relentless in our continued support for workers in Hong Kong in the struggle for freedom and rights. HKCTU represents that freedom and is the only trade union organization defending workers’ rights. We must mobilize support internationally. The members of IUF in the Asia/Pacific region stand with Brother Lee Cheuk-yan and with HKCTU. And on May 1st and June 4th we will not forget!”
IUF General Secretary Sue Longley reiterated the IUF’s longstanding support of the HKCTU, “Brother Lee Cheuk-yan is a fearless fighter for democracy and trade union rights, and we will stand with him, the HKCTU and the brave people of Hong Kong who continue to struggle every day for their fundamental rights. Brother Lee and those sentenced with him must be unconditionally released now.”
