Hong Kong Speech Therapists Jailed for Children’s Books: Absurdity Unleashed

In a startling turn of events, five speech therapists in Hong Kong have been convicted of sedition for publishing children’s books that depicted mass protests and other significant occurrences in the city. Amnesty International has condemned this ruling as a clear example of the escalating repression in the region.

The convicted individuals, who were part of the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists, now face the possibility of a two-year jail term. This verdict comes in the wake of the government’s decision to disband the union, citing alleged unlawful activities. The group is scheduled to receive their sentencing on Saturday.

The books at the center of the controversy, such as “The Guardians of Sheep Village” and “The 12 Heroes of Sheep Village,” used allegorical imagery portraying Hong Kong residents as sheep and mainland Chinese authorities as wolves. Despite being aimed at children aged four to seven, these illustrated works were deemed by national security police to have seditious intent and an alleged incitement to violence.

This crackdown on freedom of expression is not an isolated incident. Since 2020, the Hong Kong government has resorted to colonial-era sedition charges, coupled with the National Security Law enacted in June of the same year, to suppress dissenting voices. This heavy-handed approach has drawn criticism from the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which has called for the repeal of sedition laws used to stifle criticism and dissent.

The case of these speech therapists underscores a worrying trend where individuals are penalized for exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression. The application of stringent bail conditions, usually reserved for cases involving national security charges, further highlights the oppressive measures being employed by the authorities.

Amnesty International’s China campaigner, Gwen Lee, emphasized that creating educational material for children should not be criminalized. The act of informing young minds about historical events should not be misconstrued as an attempt to foment rebellion. The organization has urged the Hong Kong government to abolish outdated sedition laws that are being misused to curb freedom of expression.

As the world watches the unfolding events in Hong Kong, the plight of these speech therapists serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who dare to speak out against injustice. The international community’s support for upholding the right to freedom of expression is crucial in ensuring that voices are not silenced in the face of oppression.