Reporters Without Borders said its advocacy staff was detained for six hours before being deported.
A representative from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) was detained for six hours, searched and interrogated before being refused entry into Hong Kong, the press freedom group said.
Aleksandra Bielakowska, a Taiwan-based advocacy worker, was refused entry and deported on Wednesday after visiting Taiwan to attend the trial of media mogul Jimmy Lai, RSF said in a statement. .
Rebecca Vincent, RSF's head of campaigns, said the group was “appalled” by the treatment of its colleagues.
“We have never experienced such a blatant attempt by authorities in any country to circumvent the scrutiny of court proceedings. “This further highlights the disastrous erosion of the country,” Vincent said.
“We demand an immediate explanation from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and guarantees that representatives of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region can safely return to the region to oversee the remainder of Mr Lai's trial, but the trial remains in the dark. It can't be done inside. The world needs to know what's happening in Hong Kong, which affects press freedom around the world.”
The Hong Kong Immigration Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Lai, the founder of the defunct pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, has been on trial since February on charges under a sweeping national security law imposed by the Chinese government in 2020. ing.
The prosecution of the 76-year-old publisher has been widely condemned by human rights groups as a sign of the city's declining rights and freedoms under Beijing's tightening control over the former British colony.
Last month, Hong Kong passed further national security legislation targeting the vaguely defined crimes of treason, riot, espionage, sabotage and external interference, which is widely expected to further narrow the scope for dissent. ing.
Hong Kong, once known for having one of the freest media environments in Asia, has drastically cut back on jobs for journalists in recent years.
In addition to Apple Daily, pro-democracy news outlets Stand News and Citizen Radio were also forced to shut down amid the national security crackdown.
Radio Free Asia, which is partially funded by the US government, announced last month it would close its Hong Kong office, citing concerns for the safety of its staff.
RSF's 2023 Press Freedom Index ranks Hong Kong 140th out of 180 countries and territories, down from 73rd place in 2019.
