An appeals court in Hong Kong has granted the government’s request to ban the popular protest song “Glory to Hong Kong,” which was frequently sung during anti-government protests in 2019. This decision has sparked concerns over the erosion of freedoms in the once-freewheeling global financial hub. Critics have raised alarms about the ban further restricting freedom of expression in the city, especially following Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong in the aftermath of the 2019 protests. The ban targets those who advocate for Hong Kong’s separation from China and those who misrepresent the song as the national anthem with the intent to insult it.
Judge Jeremy Poon justified the ban by stating that the composer of the song intended it to be a “weapon” that could incite emotions among some residents of the city. The court ruled that an injunction was necessary to persuade internet platform operators to remove videos related to the song. Failure to adhere to the court order could result in contempt of court charges, leading to fines or imprisonment. Despite the ban, the song was still available on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube as of mid-afternoon on Wednesday.
The ban has raised concerns among tech companies about how to comply with the court order while safeguarding free speech on the internet. George Chen, from The Asia Group, emphasized the need for the government to address public concerns over the chilling effect on free speech. The use of national security law to curtail civil liberties in Hong Kong has intensified fears of further restrictions on freedom of expression. Additionally, the government’s move to restrict the protest song highlights a growing trend of infringing on human rights in the name of maintaining national security.
Critics, including human rights groups like Amnesty International, condemned the injunction as a “senseless attack” on freedom of expression and a violation of international human rights law. They called on authorities to respect human rights obligations and cease attempts to stifle freedoms under the pretext of national security. The government’s appeal to ban the protest song comes after a lower court rejected a similar bid last year, which was seen as a setback for officials aiming to suppress dissent in the city. Despite claims by the government that it respects freedoms protected by the city’s constitution, concerns remain about the limitations being placed on freedom of speech.
The ban on “Glory to Hong Kong” represents a broader trend of tightening restrictions on freedom of expression in Hong Kong, particularly in the wake of the 2019 protests and the implementation of national security laws. While the government argues that the ban is necessary for national security reasons, critics view it as a direct attack on fundamental rights such as free expression. The ongoing battle between authorities seeking to curb dissident voices and activists striving to uphold civil liberties highlights the growing tensions surrounding freedom of speech in the city. As the government continues to impose restrictions on protest-related content, the future of free expression in Hong Kong remains uncertain.
