Today, you may have noticed the news on HKFP disappearing before your eyes, being redacted before you can even read the content. This is no accident, in fact, it’s part of a campaign for Amnesty International aimed at reminding Hongkongers just how important Freedom of Expression can be.
When Basic Law Article 27 – which protects this freedom – is infringed, whistleblowers, booksellers and photographers are silenced, and before you know it, the news could be too.
Basic Law Article 27 protects the Freedom of Expression of the people of Hong Kong. Yet here, just like everywhere else, it is eroding. Censorship and self-censorship are on the rise, and our liberties are being challenged. Whistleblowers, journalists, booksellers and photographers are being silenced, and with them, the vital issues they to bring to light.
That’s why Amnesty International has partnered with HKFP to show you exactly what could happen, and it’s just the start – we’re also hosting a bookstore with a difference. The store is selling over 1,000 books which have each been manually redacted in order to raise funds for the cause, making sure that every person in Hong Kong, young and old, knows exactly how important Freedom of Expression is in their lives. The store is located on Lok Hing Lane in Central, check it out and pick up a book to show your support on February 16 and 17.
This week, Amnesty International is also launching the Amnesty Carnival, which brings together artists from around the world, including the likes of Shepard Fairey and Julian Opi, in order to galvanise people with artworks created and inspired by the fight for Freedom of Expression. The event is hosted at the Kong Art Space, at 3 Staunton Street in Central, from February 16 to 26.
The responsibility to uphold Article 27 and fight for its continued importance lies with us all. So show your support at the Carnival, or go to www.amnesty.org.hk and help Amnesty fight for all of our freedoms.
