Australia grants asylum to former HK lawmaker and pro-democracy activist Ted Hui
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Former lawmaker Ted Hui left Hong Kong late in 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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HONG KONG – Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Ted Hui has been granted asylum in Australia, the former lawmaker said in a Facebook post on Aug 16, more than four years after he left Hong Kong, where he faces criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests.
Mr Hui said he received written notice from the Australian Department of Home Affairs on Aug 15 approving his claim, and his wife, children and parents were also granted visas.
“When people around me say ‘congratulations’ to me, although I politely thank them, I can’t help but feel sad in my heart. How to congratulate a political refugee who misses his home town?” he said in the Facebook post.
“If it weren’t for political persecution, I would never have thought of living in a foreign land. Immigrants can always return to their home towns to visit relatives at any time; exiles have no home,” he said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing in July as part of his administration’s years-long push to improve ties with China.
A former Democratic Party lawmaker, Mr Hui left Hong Kong late in 2020 after facing criminal charges over the 2019 pro-democracy protests.
In 2023, Hong Kong accused him and seven others of national security offences, including incitement to secession, and put HK$1 million (S$164,000) bounties on their heads.
Australia said it was disappointed by the decision at the time and concerned about the law.
Pro-democracy businessman Jimmy Lai is currently on trial
