FILE – Hong Kong activist Nathan Law participates in a candlelight vigil outside the Chinese Embassy in London on June 4, 2023, marking the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests crackdown.
Kin Cheung/AP
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Kin Cheung/AP
BEIJING – Nathan Law, a prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist currently residing in London, revealed that Singapore authorities denied him entry over the weekend, a move he suspects was politically motivated.
Law, who escaped Hong Kong in 2020 amid escalating political repression, was held at Singapore’s airport on Saturday night and informed after four hours that he would not be allowed to enter the country.
He was en route to attend a private, invitation-only gathering, though he did not provide further details about the event.
Among many activists who have left Hong Kong following the enactment of the National Security Law-which has led to numerous imprisonments-Law had secured a visa for Singapore and traveled from San Francisco. Despite this, no explanation was offered for the refusal, and after approximately 14 hours in Singapore, he returned to San Francisco.
In his statement, Law expressed his belief that the denial was politically driven, though he remains uncertain if the Chinese government, officially the People’s Republic of China (PRC), played a direct or indirect role.
Law chose not to provide additional comments on the incident.
Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry confirmed the refusal, explaining that visa holders are subject to further scrutiny upon arrival. The ministry highlighted that Hong Kong authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Law under the National Security Law.
“Allowing Law to enter and remain in Singapore would not align with the country’s national interests,” the ministry stated.
While Singapore maintains an extradition treaty with Hong Kong, it appears this agreement does not extend to offenses related to national security.
In 2023, Hong Kong police issued warrants for Law and other activists living abroad, offering rewards of up to 1 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $127,600) for information leading to their capture.
Law faces allegations of collaborating with foreign entities and promoting secession, based on his calls for sanctions and Hong Kong’s independence during meetings with international officials, as well as through public letters, petitions, social media, and interviews.
Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China with its own legal system, experienced a severe crackdown in 2020 after widespread anti-government protests the previous year. Beijing imposed the National Security Law to tighten control over the city’s 7.5 million residents.
Law first gained recognition as a student leader during the 2014 Umbrella Movement, alongside fellow activist Joshua Wong, who remains imprisoned in Hong Kong.
In 2016, Law was elected to Hong Kong’s legislature but was disqualified after he altered his oath of allegiance to China, delivering it in a tone that suggested doubt.
