Hong Kong’s security forces have recently questioned two family members of Carmen Lau, a pro-democracy activist and former district councillor now residing in the UK. Lau is one of six activists living abroad who are sought under the severe National Security Law (NSL), accused of promoting secession and colluding with overseas entities.

Early morning on February 10, officials approached the living quarters of Lau’s 66-year-old uncle and 63-year-old aunt in Tai Wai. They were escorted to the Sha Tin Police Station. Although the Hong Kong Police Force confirmed the relatives were assisting an investigation, no arrests have been made. This action signifies an increase in transnational repression, with authorities attempting to mute exiled dissidents by intimidating their families back home.

Lau, an ex-member of the now-defunct Civic Party, has been in self-imposed exile in the United States since July 2021. She works as a senior international advocacy associate at the U.S.-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, which seeks global support for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong. As per the Hong Kong police’s warrant, Lau is accused of using social media and public speeches to advocate Hong Kong’s independence and call for foreign governments to impose sanctions on Beijing. Authorities have placed a reward of approximately US$128,500 for information leading to her arrest.

Lau is also sought for allegedly “inciting blank votes” in the 2021 Legislative Council elections, the first election after Beijing’s “patriots-only” reform, which effectively disqualified opposition candidates.

Her case is a part of a wider effort by Hong Kong authorities to expand their influence beyond the city’s borders, focusing on suppressing critics overseas by targeting their families and associates in their homeland.

In addition to Lau, 19-year-old UK-based activist Chloe Cheung, pollster Chung Kim-wah, and others are targeted in the recent arrest warrants. Relatives and colleagues of these individuals have also been questioned.

Another individual on the radar is Tony Chung, a former Hong Kong independence activist who was imprisoned in 2021 under the NSL before escaping to the UK in 2023. He mentioned on Instagram that it was an “honour” to be the first Hongkonger charged twice under the NSL – a remark that emphasizes the law’s extensive, retrospective reach, giving Beijing the ability to pursue individuals globally for actions committed beyond Hong Kong’s borders.

The NSL, implemented unilaterally by the National People’s Congress in Beijing in June 2020, bypassed local democratic processes. The law dismantled Hong Kong’s autonomy, transforming its legal system into an authoritarian extension of China’s governance, with the city government acting as Beijing’s proxy.

It empowers the police with extensive new rights while criminalizing subversion, secession, collusion with foreign entities, and terrorism, with the latter term defined so broadly it includes minor acts like disrupting transportation infrastructure. Most alarmingly, the NSL enables Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to pursue individuals globally for actions committed outside Hong Kong.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have warned about the NSL’s undermining of Hong Kong’s rule of law and human rights guarantees. In November 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed “grave concerns” over the NSL’s sweeping scope, warning that it criminalizes conduct protected under the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

The United Kingdom, home to thousands of Hong Kong exiles, including many targeted by the city’s overseas arrest warrants, has repeatedly condemned the extraterritorial reach of the NSL. However, concerns remain over China’s transnational repression tactics, including harassment and surveillance of Hong Kong dissidents on UK soil.

As Hong Kong authorities continue to exploit national security laws beyond their jurisdiction, the UK government is under growing pressure to enhance protections for political exiles and confront China’s escalating campaign of transnational censorship.

Recognizing these threats, the U.K.’s Joint Committee on Human Rights is currently investigating transnational repression, assessing Britain’s protections for those at risk and whether legal or policy changes are needed. It has opened a call for evidence until February 24, 2025. As Hong Kong’s authorities target exiles in Britain, it is crucial that campaigners, legal experts, and affected individuals submit evidence before the deadline.