＊本活動將以全英文進行

Event :【學人開講】 Global Cascade of Repression Against Transnational Activism

Introduction : 

Hong Kong's 2019 anti-extradition movement is dubbed the "Silicon Valley of protest" globally. According to US Congress members, it was the most impactful transnational advocacy of 2019-20. The US responded by passing the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act (2019) and the Hong Kong Autonomy Act (2020), decertifying Hong Kong's autonomous status, and imposing sanctions on top officials. However, the movement faced a harsh crackdown, targeting not only frontline protestors but also pro-democracy politicians and civil society organizers. The National Security Law criminalizes dissenting speech and acts, including "collusion" with foreign forces.

The transformation of Hong Kong from a city of freedom and protests to a "city of fear" is examined by Hui in the context of global autocratization and repression. Successes in toppling dictators in past decades have inadvertently facilitated authoritarian learning. While activists have gained strength through transnational learning and networks, autocrats have improved their repressive capacity through mutual learning and coordination. Simultaneously, escalating repression worldwide has forced millions into exile, contributing to the rise of right-wing populists in established democracies. These interconnected trends paint a challenging picture for the future of activism.