Travesty.

FWIW, I've cancelled my subscription to the @washingtonpost. The term "anticipatory obedience" is a very useful one for those studying Chinese politics - sad to see it become relevant in the US context.

This book looks fascinating!.

Important thread on a very sad case - a disturbing and unnecessary move by the HK government….

Please join us for this important event -- THIS WEDNESDAY at 3.30p! The event is free and open to the public.

Last but not least, want to learn more about the situation in HK? Come to the book launch for Among the Braves, featuring @ShibaniMahtani @TMclaughlin3 @laiyanhoeric at @GeorgetownLaw on Nov 8 at 3.30p! Event info here: .

In other words, HK has a vested interest in turning the page on the crackdown on the 2019 protest movement. That can only happen if/when the HKG stops weaponizing the legal system to punish those who took part in the protests. (9).

HK continues its slide in the @TheWJP rule of law index - its shoddy performance in 2019 protest cases, and its awful showing in NSL cases, are likely part of the reason. @hkfp story on HK's slide in the rankings (8):.

What can be done? It's not too late for the HKG to stop prosecuting individuals accused of 2019 protest crimes. The argument is especially strong for those accused of non-violent crimes. I'm not optimistic that the HKG will take up this rec, but hope springs eternal. (7).

Our most recent analysis of NSL cases, done with @ChinaFile, can be found here (6): .

Still, the comparison with NSL cases is instructive - the conviction rate for protest cases in our dataset is well below 100% (even if much higher than it should be); for NSL cases, the HKG boasts a perfect 100% conviction rate. (5).

As our report shows, the courts have a v mixed record in handling 2019 protest cases: they have been often unwilling to make vigorous use of BL hum rts protections, and have allowed due process rights to atrophy, making it more difficult for defendants to get a fair trial. (4).

My co-authors @laiyanhoeric and Jun Chan (alias) hope that this report will bring some attention back to these cases, and to those currently in prison (or in too many cases, in pre-trial detention, waiting for their case to be heard). (3).

2019 protest cases have been somewhat overshadowed by the more recent series of NSL arrests and prosecutions, many of which involve high-profile defendants like Jimmy Lai and Chow Hang-tung. But ppl continue to be prosecuted for 2019 protest offenses, even 3-plus years later. (2).

Our latest @GeorgetownCAL report on human rights and rule of law in HK is out! Link to the report below. Let me offer a few quick comments! (1/x).

In the meantime, come to the @GeorgetownLaw @GeorgetownCAL @HRI_gtownlaw panel TODAY to learn more, and to hear from our amazing experts! (7/end).

Sadly, some other states are taking a close look at the law that FL passed (and are closely following the litigation around it), and other discrim laws and policies are moving forward as well, both at state and fed levels. There's much to keep an eye on, and much to be done! (6).

As Bethany Li will discuss, @aaldef has been fighting a new FL state law barring Chinese nationals (and others) from some real estate purchases. As this @washingtonpost story points out, the law has many painful parallels to earlier moments in US history: .

Some of the policy responses taken by the US are both well-intentioned, and also rightly tailored to the challenge. Others, not so much. The Biden admin was right to end the so-called China Initiative at DOJ, eg. Link to @politico story (2022) here: .

For those (like myself) who work on human rights in CN, there is a moral obligation to pay attn to this issue, in part b/c it is driven by US efforts to respond to an assertive CN under Xi Jinping. We need to pay attn to what is happening in CN and also here at home. (3).