It is clear that the trumped-up charge of police obstruction brought against Ronson Chan, the chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), is deliberately contrived to extinguish the last vestiges of press freedoms in Hong Kong (Report, 20 September).
The HKJA is one of the few remaining press freedom groups in the city following a two-year wholesale crackdown on dissent under the draconian national security law. Therefore it comes as no surprise that authorities have now resorted to fabricating charges in a desperate attempt to finally muzzle media freedom advocates.
Given that Chan was days away from leaving Hong Kong to begin a six-month fellowship programme at Oxford University, it is also deeply distressing that the authorities have deliberately targeted a journalist about to start a new life in the UK.
As such, the UK government needs to send a clear message that it stands with Hong Kong, and that media freedoms that are vital for a free and fair society.
Natalie Bennett
Vice-chair, all-party parliamentary group on Hong Kong
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.
