URGENT UPDATE: Disturbing reports confirm that sexually explicit letters targeting high-profile pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong have been mailed to addresses in the UK and Australia. This alarming escalation in transnational harassment marks a new low in the ongoing campaign against critics of the Chinese Communist Party.
Letters featuring digitally manipulated images of Carmen Lau, a prominent exiled activist, have been sent to her former neighbors in Maidenhead, UK. These letters, which include faked sexualized images of Lau, were postmarked from Macau. At least six of Lau’s former neighbors received these disturbing communications, featuring explicit content and personal details such as her address and body measurements.
One recipient described the letters as showing “graphic images of her sexual acts… basically offering services.” This is the first instance where individuals on the Hong Kong police’s bounty list have faced such explicit harassment, underscoring the risks female activists endure.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Ted Hui, an exiled Hong Kong legislator, and his wife have fallen victim to a similar scheme. A fake poster depicting Hui’s wife as a sex worker was sent to his boss and distributed to residents in Adelaide. Hui expressed his shock, stating that his wife, who is not a public figure, was left “speechless” by the attack.
Lau expressed her fear upon learning about the letters, stating, “I am a woman, and they threaten me like this.” She emphasized that these actions represent an “escalation of transnational repression.” Hui reported the harassment to the police, who traced the IP address of an email related to the poster back to Hong Kong.
The psychological impact on the victims is profound. Lau, who previously criticized Thames Valley police for their inadequate response to similar threats, noted that she feels uneasy in public and often covers her face to avoid recognition. “The psychological burden is heavy,” she remarked.
In March, Lau’s neighbors were already targeted with “wanted” posters offering a reward of HK$1 million (£96,000) for information about her. Similar threats were made against other activists, including Tony Chung and Kevin Yam. However, this latest campaign is unprecedented in its explicit nature.
Local authorities are now involved. A spokesperson for South Australia Police confirmed they are investigating but could not comment on specific cases. Meanwhile, a resident of the address listed on Hui’s poster expressed confusion and concern, stating, “How did they get our address? Why did they pick us? It just doesn’t make sense.”
Joshua Reynolds, the MP for Maidenhead, condemned the letters as acts of transnational repression, urging the UK government to impose sanctions on officials targeting activists. “It’s utterly grotesque what they’re doing,” he stated, calling for immediate action to protect Hongkongers in the UK.
The Chinese embassy has previously dismissed claims of harassment as fabrications. In response to the latest incidents, a spokesperson reiterated that pursuing wanted fugitives is “legitimate and reasonable.”
Thames Valley Police have confirmed they are investigating the malicious communications but have made no arrests. A spokesperson stated, “We are engaging with the victim and, at this time, no arrests have been made.”
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, and the safety of pro-democracy activists continues to be a pressing concern. For those affected, the psychological toll and fear of further attacks loom large. Authorities must act swiftly to address this alarming trend of harassment.
