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| Hong Kong human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung is seen inside a vehicle after being detained in Hong Kong, in this Sept. 8, 2021, photo. Reuters-Yonhap |
By Jun Ji-hye
The Chinese government expressed its opposition to the selection of Chow Hang-tung, a prominent pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong, as the winner of this year's Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.
According to the May 18 Memorial Foundation that presents the award, Monday, three officials from the Chinese consulate in Gwangju, including the consul general, visited the office of the foundation to have a talk with Chairman Won Sun-seok.
During their talk, the trio urged the foundation to reconsider its plan to present the human rights award to the 38-year-old activist, claiming that she is a "criminal who took part in a violent protest that inflicted damage on China."
The foundation rejected the request, saying a country should not intervene in a decision made by a private institute.
On May 2, the foundation announced its decision to present this year's prize to Chow, a human rights lawyer who continued the struggle for democracy in Hong Kong by hosting a candlelit vigil in memory of the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.
In 2021, Chow led the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements, which organized Hong Kong's annual June 4 candlelight vigil for victims of Beijing's deadly suppression of the protests, despite the newly enacted national security law.
Chow is in prison now, as she was arrested in September 2021 and sentenced to 15 months in prison for violating the law.
The foundation said Chow was recognized for her brave struggle despite life-threatening scenarios that emerged after the enactment of the law. It noted that she has been a symbol of courage and hope for the people of Hong Kong.
The foundation rejected the Chinese officials' request to withdraw the award plan, saying a country should not block an award presented by a private institute.
"A country should respect a private institute's assessment in relation to human rights and its decision to present an award," Won said. "The award does not mean that we express our opposition to the state system in China. We hope the Chinese government does not respond sensitively to our award."
The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was established in 2000 to mark the spirit of the pro-democracy movement in Korea's southwestern city in 1980 and honor those who fight for human rights and peace.
This year's awards ceremony will take place on the anniversary of the Korean movement. A representative of Chow is expected to receive the award on her behalf.
