ITUC - Asia Pacific expresses its solidarity with Lee Cheuk Yan, General Secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), as he stands trial for nine criminal charges filed against him simply for exercising his freedom of speech, association, and peaceful assembly during the pro-democracy and anti-police brutality protests in 2019. His trial started yesterday, February 16th.

Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of the ITUC - Asia Pacific, said that all charges against Lee Cheuk Yan and other pro-democracy leaders in Hong Kong must be dropped and all restrictions on freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, the right to organise, and civil law abuse of peaceful protesters must be stopped.

"Exercising civil and political rights is not a crime. We support and stand firmly with HKCTU and the people of Hong Kong in their unflagging fight for freedom and democracy."

Lee Cheuk Yan is a prominent leader not only in the trade union and democratic movement in Hong Kong, but also in the international trade union community.

#WeLoveFreedominHK #SolidarityWithHKUnion