Several Taiwanese civil organizations are condemning the recent arrest of four students in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong police detained four former members of the Hong Kong University Student Union on Wednesday. That came after the union passed a motion memorializing a civilian killed in a violent protest on July 1. The students have been charged with promoting terrorism under the controversial National Security Act that governs the Hong Kong.
Taiwan Students Federation Director Huang Ting-wei says the Hong Kong government is tyrannical and willing to harm young people. He says that Taiwan must pay attention to the unfolding tragedy in Hong Kong and do everything to protect Taiwan’s own freedom.
Meanwhile, historian Wu Rui-ren says Taiwan must work with global powers to pressure China into letting these students and other prisoners go. He says the world cannot turn its back on the crimes against democracy and human rights taking place right now in Hong Kong.
Taiwan-Hong Kong Association Director Sang Pu says that the “one country, two systems” policy has ceased to exist. He says that China has completely taken over the territory, and that Taiwan should issue a travel warning for those considering trips to Hong Kong. Sang also says that Taiwan needs to expand its system for accepting Hong Kong refugees, so that more people are entitled to safety and freedom here.