Hong Kong police have apprehended a former member of the city’s District Council and prison welfare activist, Derek Chu, on suspicion of violating the mandatory pension law. Chu, who resigned in 2021 after being pressured to pledge loyalty to the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, was arrested as calls for a boycott of the upcoming district elections, which are only open to “patriots,” intensified. The government intends to reduce the number of directly elected seats on the District Council by 80% and prevent opposition figures from standing for election through ongoing arrests and political vetting. Chu’s arrest is connected to his fundraising platform, “Migratory Bird,” which supports prisoners and operates within the “yellow economic circle of pro-democracy businesses.” He is currently in custody pending further investigation. The forthcoming election has been heavily criticized, with demands for a boycott as candidates face strict vetting requirements and the government is accused of brainwashing minors. Pro-democracy lawmakers warn that the election is a significant setback for democracy in Hong Kong, as most seats will be controlled by the government. Some pro-democracy parties still plan to field candidates, although this move has been criticized as potentially legitimizing an unfair and undemocratic election process. The government has stated that the turnout in the District Council elections is not the primary concern, but rather finding patriots who genuinely serve the community.
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