A Global Reach of Intimidation: The Harassment of Hong Kong Activists Abroad

The Unsettling Case of Carmen Lau and the "Wanted" Posters

In the quiet town of Maidenhead, just 7 miles from Windsor Castle, a chilling wave of harassment has unfolded, targeting Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Carmen Lau. Mysterious "wanted" posters began arriving in the mailboxes of Lau’s neighbors, urging them to provide information about her to the Hong Kong Police Force or even "take her to the Chinese embassy." The posters, adorned with Hong Kong stamps, offered a hefty reward of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($130,000) for any information leading to her arrest. Lau, who has not lived in Hong Kong since 2021, now feels unsafe in her current location and is considering moving elsewhere for her security. NBC News has chosen not to disclose her whereabouts to protect her safety.

The flyers, which included Lau’s personal details such as her address, date of birth, ethnicity, build, and height, have left both Lau and her neighbors in a state of fear and confusion. Joshua Reynolds, the Member of Parliament for Maidenhead, confirmed that at least five residents reported receiving the letters. "They’re unsure what to do about it, they’re unsure why they received it, or what was going on," Reynolds said during a telephone interview. He added that he had personally reached out to Lau to discuss the issue.

The Broader Context: Hong Kong’s National Security Law and Its Global Reach

The harassment of Carmen Lau is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of intimidation targeting Hong Kong pro-democracy activists who have fled the city to escape the long arm of Chinese law. In 2021, Hong Kong enacted a controversial national security law, which gave the government sweeping powers to crack down on dissent. The law, enacted in the aftermath of the 2019 pro-democracy protests, criminalizes a wide range of activities deemed threats to national security, including treason, insurrection, and even the possession of seditious publications. The penalties are severe, with life imprisonment for the most serious offenses and several years in jail for lesser crimes.

Lau, who fled Hong Kong in 2021, was later declared a criminal by the Hong Kong police, who accused her of violating the national security law. They placed a bounty on her head and called for her extradition. In addition to the posters sent to her neighbors in Maidenhead, Lau revealed that her relatives in Hong Kong had been questioned by the police twice this month. While NBC News could not independently verify her account, the pattern of harassment suggests a systematic effort to silence her and instill fear among Hong Kong’s diaspora.

The Harassment Continues: A Pattern of Intimidation

The harassment of Hong Kong activists is not limited to cases like Lau’s. In September, the Hong Kong Journalists Association reported that dozens of media outlets had received threatening messages in a "systematic and organized" campaign, which the association described as the largest-scale harassment of reporters it had ever seen. Similarly, in May last year, British authorities charged three men, including the office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, with surveilling and gathering intelligence against Hong Kong democracy activists. One of the men, Matthew Trickett, was later found dead in a park in Maidenhead, while the other two, Chung Biu Yuen and Chi Leung Peter Wai, are set to go on trial next month. They deny the charges, which include breaking into a residence.

Chinese officials have dismissed the charges as "groundless and slanderous," but the incidents have raised concerns about the safety of Hong Kong democracy activists living in the U.K. Britain has taken in over 120,000 people from its former colony since the national security law was enacted, many of whom fled to escape political persecution. However, the harassment and intimidation they face suggest that the long arm of Chinese law extends far beyond Hong Kong’s borders.

Local Reactions: Concerns Over Chinese Interference in the U.K.

The situation in Maidenhead has sparked widespread concern among residents, who fear that the Chinese government is attempting to interfere in the U.K. "They’re concerned that this looks like the Chinese are trying to interfere in the U.K., and that they don’t want to be frightened by what’s happening," said Joshua Reynolds, the local MP. Reynolds described the posters as "awful" and emphasized that it was "just not acceptable" if the flyers had indeed been sent from China.

While the origin of the posters remains unclear, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong government denied sending "anonymous letters" but vowed to pursue those who had fled the territory "in accordance with the law" and "take every measure" to bring them back. The Chinese Embassy in London did not respond to NBC News’ request for comment. Meanwhile, Thames Valley Police assured Reynolds that they were ensuring Lau "gets the protection and security she requires," though the force did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.

The UK’s Response: Balancing Diplomacy and Human Rights

The harassment of Hong Kong activists in the U.K. has also raised questions about the British government’s approach to China. Reynolds, a member of the opposition Liberal Democrats, expressed concerns over the government’s complacency toward Beijing, particularly in light of plans to build a "mega embassy" in London. The proposal has drawn criticism not only from U.K. lawmakers but also from U.S. legislators, who argue that such a large embassy would embolden China’s efforts to intimidate and harass dissidents and experts across Europe.

A British government spokesperson condemned attempts by foreign governments to "coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas," calling such actions "unacceptable." The spokesperson added that the government would "encourage anyone to report concerns to the police." However, Lau said she had not been contacted by the Home Office or the Foreign Office, leaving her feeling isolated in her struggle for safety and justice.

The Fight for Freedom: Carmen Lau’s Resilience in the Face of intimidation

Despite the threats and harassment, Carmen Lau remains determined to continue her activism. "I will just continue my work because if I back down or if I really silence myself, that’s what they want," she said. Her resolve highlights the resilience of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy diaspora, who refuse to be intimidated by the long reach of authoritarianism.

Lau’s case serves as a stark reminder of the global implications of Hong Kong’s national security law and the challenges faced by activists who flee their homeland in search of safety. As the U.K. and other countries grapple with how to balance diplomacy with human rights, the protection of dissidents like Lau remains a critical test of their commitment to democracy and the rule of law.