Hong Kong trade union leader re-arrested

In February of this year, Lee Cheuk-yan, General Secretary of Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions was arrested for pro-democracy activism. He was released on bail but then in April, under the cover of COVID-19, pro-Beijing authorities in Hong Kong rearrested Lee and 14 other democracy activists.

Mr Lee was due to attend the 2019 NTEU National Council, but last minute visa issues forced him to deliver his talk by video link. Despite a sometimes shaky connection, he enthralled Council with his extraordinary story of activism and resistance.

In December last year, NTEU UTS Branch members hosted a forum with Mr Lee. He spoke to members about the political impacts of government repression against the freedom movement and academia in Hong Kong.

Lee told The Guardian that the arrests were clearly intended to intimidate activists and voters in the run-up to the September elections.

Lee told Union Aid Abroad: 'We need the international community to continue to stand with us in our fight for democracy'.

Lee is a veteran labor leader and former member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, representing the New Territories West constituency for more than two decades. He co-founded and is Vice Chair of the Hong Kong Labour Party.

NTEU members are continuing to support work by Union Aid Abroad to protest Lee’s arrest and support trade unionists and democracy activists in Hong Kong. ◆