Exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner Nathan Law was denied entry to Singapore on 28 September, despite holding a visa, with authorities stating that his presence “would not be in Singapore’s national interests”.
Law, who was granted asylum in the United Kingdom in 2021, flew into Singapore on Saturday intending to attend a “closed-door, invitation-only” conference. However, he was detained at the border for four hours and later returned to San Francisco, where he had flown in from.
According to a response from Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to queries from the BBC, Law was “referred for questioning, and immigration and security assessment” after arriving. The ministry emphasised that “a visa holder is still subject to further checks at point of entry into the country”.
MHA further stated that Law is wanted by Hong Kong authorities for allegedly endangering national security. “Mr Law’s entry into and presence in the country would not be in Singapore’s national interests,” the spokesperson added.
Singapore maintains an extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
Law said no explanation was provided for the denial and he was not questioned during the process. Speaking to the BBC, he said, “I was not asked questions and they did not give reason for the denial.”
He had been scheduled to participate in a private event and had obtained a visa three weeks prior. According to his statement, the visa permitted a one-time entry for a few days. Law travelled using a UK Refugee Travel Document.
Law said he believes the denial of entry may have been “political,” suggesting potential “external forces,” possibly the People’s Republic of China (PRC), may have played a role. “I am unsure whether external forces, such as the PRC, are involved, directly or indirectly,” he stated.
The organisers of the event Law was due to attend have declined to comment.
Law is one of the most recognised figures in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. He was elected to the Legislative Council in 2016 but fled the city in 2020 following the enactment of the Hong Kong national security law.
The law criminalises acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, and carries penalties of up to life imprisonment.
Law and other pro-democracy activists were placed on a wanted list by Hong Kong authorities, with bounties of HK$1 million (approximately US$128,000) offered for information leading to their arrest.
Singapore has consistently maintained a strict stance on the involvement of foreign political influences.
Singaporean authorities did not provide further detail regarding Law’s case or whether diplomatic consultations were involved.
As of now, Law remains in exile and continues his advocacy work from abroad. No comment has been issued by the Hong Kong or Chinese governments regarding Singapore’s decision.
This is not the first time Singapore has acted in relation to Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.
In August 2020, Singaporean civil rights activist Jolovan Wham served a 10-day jail sentence for organising a 2016 indoor event featuring Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong via Skype.
The forum, titled “Civil Disobedience and Social Movements”, also included journalist Kirsten Han and artist Seelan Palay. Wham was convicted of organising a public assembly without a permit under the Public Order Act, and of refusing to sign a police statement.
He was fined a total of S$3,200, but chose to serve the default jail terms. His constitutional challenge to the provision requiring permits for public assemblies was dismissed by the High Court and upheld on appeal.
Wham criticised the ruling, calling it a “farce” and arguing that it criminalised peaceful political discussion. Human Rights Watch described the imprisonment as “politically motivated persecution.”
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