Urgent: Human Rights Watch Demands Release of Arrested Ex-Lawmaker
UPDATE: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has just announced an urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of former Macao lawmaker Au Kam San, who was arrested under Chinese national security charges on August 30, 2023. This alarming detention highlights the escalating repression in Macao, mirroring the crackdown seen in Hong Kong.
HRW’s associate China director, Maya Wang, stated that the arrest underscores a dangerous trend of systemic censorship and suppression of dissent in the region under Chinese leader Xi Jinping. “The arrest… reflects the broadening repression radiating from China to Hong Kong and Macao,” Wang emphasized. This statement comes as several pro-democracy activists and journalists face detention, and fundamental rights such as voting and freedom of speech continue to be severely curtailed.
On July 30, Au was apprehended after authorities accused him of violating Article 13 of the national security law. This provision, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, criminalizes establishing “links with organizations or groups” outside Macao that might endanger national security. Experts warn that the law’s ambiguous wording makes it susceptible to misuse, potentially classifying mere criticism of the government as a security threat.
As the 41st anniversary of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration approaches, which delineated China’s obligations regarding Hong Kong, the region has seen a dramatic decline in freedom of expression. According to the Global Expression Report 2025, Macao dropped 54 points into the ‘crisis category,’ signaling a troubling trend in civic liberties.
The judiciary has also succumbed to this anti-democratic climate. In 2021, Chinese courts upheld a government ban on the Tiananmen Massacre annual vigil, citing political slogans as incitements against the state. Such actions raise grave concerns about the erosion of the right to free speech, guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
As this situation develops, global observers are calling for accountability and the protection of fundamental rights in Macao. The international community’s response remains critical in addressing these escalating human rights violations. Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent situation.
