Hong Kong Police Arrest 5 at Independent Bookstore; Writer Warns of Authoritarian Overreach

Hong Kong police on July 15 raided an independent bookstore founded by former media professionals, arresting five individuals on suspicion of displaying and selling "seditious" items. The bookstore, "Have A Nice Stay," had a staff member pictured being handcuffed while wearing a "I am a bookstore employee" shirt, an image that deeply affected many in Taiwan.

Writer Yan Tse-ya expressed dismay over the arrests, drawing a parallel between the bookstore incident and the plight of residents displaced by a building collapse in Hong Kong, who reportedly struggled to get help. She warned that when a society with high levels of freedom falls under authoritarian control, citizens lose more than just their freedom of speech.

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When a society that enjoys a high degree of freedom falls into the hands of an authoritarian regime, the people will lose more than just freedom of speech.

"They will also lose basic security in their homes and property protection," Yan wrote, emphasizing that these losses are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. She argued that the erosion of free speech prevents citizens from overseeing the government, leading to a decline in governance and endangering public safety. As public discontent grows, authorities tend to increase crackdowns on free expression, eventually leading to unchecked abuses of power and the complete loss of property rights.

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They will also lose basic security in their homes and property protection.