Figo Chan

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Figo Chan
陳皓桓
Figo Chan in 2019
Convener of the Civil Human Rights Front
In office
October 2020 – 28 May 2021
Preceded byJimmy Sham Tsz-kit
Succeeded byChung Chung-fai
Vice-convener of Civil Human Rights Front
In office
October 2018 – October 2020
Personal details
Born (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 (age 28)
British Hong Kong
Political partyLeague of Social Democrats
Figo Chan
Traditional Chinese陳皓桓
Simplified Chinese陈皓桓

Figo Chan Ho-wun (Chinese: 陳皓桓; born 3 April 1996) is a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist who served as convener of the Civil Human Rights Front from October 2020 until his conviction in May 2021, when he was succeeded by Chung Chung-fai.[1] As vice-convener of the organisation (between 2018 and 2020) Chan and then convener Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, planned major marches during the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests.[2][3] In November 2019, Chan and Emily Lau were awarded the John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service on behalf of the people of Hong Kong during the Halifax International Security Forum.[4][5] He also is member of the League of Social Democrats.[6]

On 19 October 2020, along with activists Ted Hui, Kalvin Ho, Joshua Wong and others, he protested in front of the Thai Consulate in Hong Kong in a show of solidarity with the Thai protesters calling for government and monarchy reforms.[7]

Activism post-2021 arrests of pro-democracy figures

Chan (right) and former CHRF convener Jimmy Sham (left) in 2020

Following the arrest in January and charging in February 2021 of dozens of pro-democracy activists and politicians, Chan continued with his activism as convener of the Civil Human Rights Front. He denied, along with former convener and imprisoned Jimmy Sham, that the CHRF was foreign-funded and said the organisation would continue its activities.[8] In May 2021, previous to the beginning of the "subversion trial", he was accused in court of organising an unlawful assembly in 2019. Chan alleged that there was no wrongdoing and that the violence that erupted following the demonstration had nothing to do with their convening. Chan was put on trial in late May 2021 for that assembly along with activist Avery Ng and tycoon Jimmy Lai.[9] Chan also warned that if the government does not allow peaceful demonstrations to take place, it could trigger protests similar to those in 2019 and include violence.[10]

Arrests and convictions

Chan has been arrested multiple times for the demonstrations. On 18 April 2020 he was arrested with fellow League of Social Democrats (LSD) activist Leung Kwok-hung (also known as Long Hair), amid a crackdown on pro-democracy activists.[11] When he appeared before the court to hear his bail, he said that "demonstrating is not a crime."[12]

He was arrested again on 6 September 2020 for protesting the delay of the 2020 legislative election, which were postponed to 2021 for the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong situation.[13][14]

On 8 December 2020, Chan was arrested for his alleged involvement in the unauthorized 1 July march that year. Seven other democrats were arrested the same day on similar charges.[15]

On 28 May 2021, Chan was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment on charges of organising an unauthorised assembly in 2019 which then turned violent.[16]

On 16 October 2021, Chan was sentenced to additional 12 months' imprisonment for a July 2020 unauthorised assembly which aimed at protesting the newly passed national security law.[17]

In July 2022, it was announced that Chan was facing other 14 counts of crimes involving his efforts in organising protests in 2020.[18]

Imprisonment and identity

Chan reacted to his conviction by saying that jail time will make him a "better man" and adding that "It's better for me to be jailed when I am still young [...] I can do sports and train my muscles."[19] About his national identity, Chan recalled his patriotic fervour as a child when the 2008 Summer Olympics took place and his wishes to travel to mainland China and said he "believed I was a proud Chinese person", but added that "nothing can give me that recognition of (Chinese) identity any more."[19]

On October 10, 2022, Chan was released from prison, where he vowed to continue with his activism. Chan regretted the disbandment of the CHRF and when asked about leaving Hong Kong, he said that he is "very, very unwilling to emigrate now".[20]

References

  1. ^ "民陣換屆 陳皓桓接替岑子杰任召集人：續為民主而戰". HK01 (in Chinese). 22 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  2. ^ Chan, Holmes (9 December 2019). "In Pictures: 800,000 Hongkongers attend pro-democracy march, say organisers". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  3. ^ Chan, Holmes (1 October 2019). "'Day of mourning': Protests erupt around Hong Kong districts as China National Day marred by tear gas, clashes". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  4. ^ Lum, Alvin (23 November 2019). "People of Hong Kong awarded 2019 John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service – an honour that comes at delicate time in US-China relations". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  5. ^ Brewster, Murray (23 November 2019). "'We will fight to the bitter end': Hong Kong pro-democracy activists recognized at Halifax security forum". CBC. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  6. ^ Ramzy, Austin; May, Tiffany (6 September 2020). "Hong Kong Police Block Protests Over Delayed Election". New York Times. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  7. ^ Kwan, Rhoda (19 October 2020). "Hong Kong democrats rally in support of Thailand protests as activists barred from consulate entry". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  8. ^ "The Civil Human Rights Front denies foreign funding". The Standard. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  9. ^ Siu, Jasmine (24 May 2021). "Hong Kong protests: head of activist group tells court illegal rally came after authorities denied right to lawful assembly". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  10. ^ Lau, Chris (17 May 2021). "Depriving Hongkongers of platform to voice their grievances could trigger mass protests, rally organiser says". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Police arrest over a dozen pro-democracy figures". RTHK. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  12. ^ Zaharia, Marius (18 May 2020). "Hong Kong's veteran pro-democracy activists defiant as they hear charges in court". Reuters. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Hong Kong police arrest hundreds after protests over delayed vote". Deutsche Welle. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  14. ^ Davidson, Helen (6 September 2020). "Almost 300 arrests as Hong Kong protesters oppose election delay". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  15. ^ Wong, Rachel (8 December 2020). "Hong Kong police arrest 8 more opposition figures, inc. 'Long Hair', Eddie Chu, Figo Chan, Wu Chi-wai". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  16. ^ Siu, Jasmine (28 May 2021). "Hong Kong protests: Jimmy Lai jailed for 14 months over role in 2019 illegal rally, while seven co-defendants receive up to 18 months". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Hong Kong activists jailed for unauthorised protest in 2020". Al Jazeera. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  18. ^ Loi, Amelia (11 July 2022). "Hong Kong rights review marred by crackdown on civil society groups". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Hong Kong activist Figo Chan says jail will make him 'a better man'". France24. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  20. ^ Wen, Rui (10 October 2022). "出獄兩天先慣「安心」陳皓桓拒移民盼同經歷：今日香港我有責任". HK01 (in Chinese). Retrieved 1 November 2022.
Political offices
Preceded by Convenor of Civil Human Rights Front
2020–2021 		Succeeded by
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