The new entity, Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas (AIHKO), will be led by Hong Kong diaspora activists operating from key international hubs including Australia, Canada, Taiwan, the UK and the USA.

“The opening of Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas marks a new chapter in the organization’s strengthened commitment to human rights in Hong Kong and its support for the Hong Kong diaspora around the world,” said Chi-man Luk, the new AIHKO executive director.

“The gutting of Hong Kong’s civil society has been a tragedy for the city with more than 100 non-profits and media outlets shut down or forced to flee. But since the closing of Amnesty International Hong Kong three years ago, our dedication has only grown. We are now ready to intensify our efforts by building new communities of support driven by the Hong Kong diaspora.”

Since the 2019 pro-democracy movement, more than 10,000 people, many of them students, have been arrested for protest-related activities. Over 300 people have been arrested for alleged acts of “endangering national security”.

Prominent activists, including lawyer Chow Hang-tung and media advocate Jimmy Lai, face lengthy prison sentences for their peaceful advocacy. Both have been designated as “prisoners of conscience” by Amnesty International.

Hong Kong authorities have weaponised colonial-era sedition laws and introduced new repressive bills, creating an arsenal of tools against all forms of dissent, and even targeting overseas critics by issuing bounties and revoking passports.

AIHKO joins an increasing number of civil society organisations focused on Hong Kong issues that have established operations outside the city due to the shrinking space for civil society and freedom of expression in Hong Kong.

AIHKO, which is officially registered in Switzerland, will focus on advocating for human rights of Hongkongers, within Hong Kong and abroad, amplifying their voices and fostering a strong diaspora community globally.

Agnès Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, said: “Amnesty’s Hong Kong Overseas office demonstrates the resilience of our movement, our determination never to be silenced, and our commitment to defending human rights no matter the challenges we face.

“This new section, and the model behind it, will play a crucial role in our struggle against authoritarian threats, in Hong Kong and beyond.”