Press Release: For Immediate Release
WHAT: Visual Artists Guild calls for Action On Universal Human Rights Day December 10
WHEN: December 10, 2020
WHY:
It was Eleanor Roosevelt who in 1948 led the draft for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was signed on December 10 that year.
As a member of the United Nations, China is obligated to observe
Article 19 of the Declaration which states that "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression" as well as
Article 20 of the Declaration which states that "Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association".
Since China imposed its National Security Law on Hong Kong on July 1, the Hong Kong government has systematically violated the tenets of these two articles in charging and sentencing pro-democracy activists there.
Among the recent activists who have been sentenced or detained are:
Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam who are in their early 20's sentenced to 7 to 13 months in jail.
Jimmy Lai, owner of Next Media and Apple Daily denied bail.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:
* Call the Hong Kong Senior Information Officer Daniel McAtee at 202-238-6360
Message, "It is wrong for Hong Kong government to violate the Basic Law which guarantees the rights of freedom of speech and assembly. We ask that Joshua Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam to be released immediately and that Jimmy Lai be released on bail."
* Call your Congressmember 202-224-3121 to sponsor the HR 8428 Hong Kong Freedom & Choice Act of 2020 which protects Hongkongers who have a significant role in protesting for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong including organizers, medical personnel, journalists, legal service, etc.
Message, "Please ask the Congressmember to co-sponsor HR 8428, the Hong Kong Freedom and Choice Act of 2020."
To find your Congressmember, click on https://ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findrep_house and enter your zip code
For Information: Ann Lau, 310-433-0697