Hong Kong Man Sentenced to Prison for Importing ‘Seditious’ Children’s Books
A Hong Kong man has been sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to importing children’s books that were deemed to be seditious publications. Kurt Leung, a 38-year-old clerk, was arrested in March after signing for a delivery from the U.K. containing the controversial books. The books in question feature sheep and wolves and tell the story of the sheep defending themselves against the wolves in various ways, which authorities claim alludes to incidents such as the 2019 anti-government protests and the detention of Hong Kongers attempting to escape by sea.
The Hong Kong authorities argue that these books are an attempt to incite hatred and contempt against the government in both Hong Kong and mainland China. The sedition offense, a colonial-era law, is being used to crack down on such dissent in Hong Kong. This move is seen by many as eroding the city’s political freedoms following the imposition of a national security law aimed at suppressing dissent.
Leung was accused of collaborating with a former colleague to have the books delivered to his office in Hong Kong. He expressed remorse for the incident in a letter to the court, acknowledging that the books could influence the general public. The creators of the sheep and wolves books, who were members of the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists, were previously sentenced to 19 months in prison in September 2022. However, a group of overseas educators has taken over the project and published three additional titles, which are available for purchase in the United Kingdom and as digital copies.
The decline of freedoms in Hong Kong and the Chinese government’s tightening control over the city have raised concerns internationally. The national security law, along with the sedition law, has been used to arrest activists and pro-democracy figures. Western governments have criticized these laws as threats to Hong Kong’s political freedoms and civil society. China and Hong Kong authorities argue that the laws are necessary for maintaining stability in the wake of the 2019 anti-government protests.
The sentencing of Kurt Leung highlights the ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression in Hong Kong. As authorities interpret children’s books as seditious, concerns are growing about the limits placed on artistic and literary works. Critics argue that this move stifles creativity and undermines the city’s autonomy. The international community will continue to monitor the situation in Hong Kong, as it grapples with balancing stability and political freedoms.
