Dissidents win stay on deportation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.TWO Chinese pro-democracy supporters were yesterday granted a stay on deportation from Hong Kong. Both the colony and Britain have refused political asylum to Chen Yu, 29, a former journalist and poet, and Lin Lin, 24, a computer programmer, who both took part in the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.
Pam Baker, the women's lawyer, said that a Hong Kong judge, approached with an application for leave to seek a judicial review, had postponed their deportation until Thursday morning.
'It's a triumph. We're thrilled to bits, but it's only one step,' said Ms Baker, who is on a private visit to Britain.
On Thursday there will be a hearing before the Hong Kong Attorney General, the colony's most senior government lawyer.
Amnesty International has said both women would be at 'serious risk' of being jailed if sent back to China.
They fled China earlier this year to avoid being arrested for their involvement in the pro-democracy movement.
Chen Yu wrote articles critical of the authorities during and after the Tiananmen Square protests. Her poems were distributed among many of the protesting students who were later killed.
Lin Lin was forced to write confessions and undertake not to have any involvement with dissidents after travelling to Beijing during the protests. She later gave Chen Yu shelter.
The women paid a smuggler to take them into Hong Kong, where they applied for political asylum while held in detention.
The Home Office said asylum had not been granted because Hong Kong did not believe either woman was at serious risk.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments