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A prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy advocate residing in the UK has recently been subjected to a disturbing campaign of harassment. This involved the delivery of letters containing fabricated, sexually explicit images of her sent from China to her neighbors. Carmen Lau, aged 30, who sought refuge in the UK four years ago, shared with the BBC that she was deeply disturbed by the letters. These were distributed to homes in Maidenhead, Kent, featuring her name alongside digitally manipulated images that depicted her as either nude or in underwear, offering sexual services.
Lau explained that the letters contained “very unpleasant images, AI-generated or photo-shopped, where they put my face on those images, portraying me as a sex-worker.” The Guardian was the initial outlet to report on the existence of these letters. She first learned about this harassment when her local Member of Parliament, Liberal Democrat Joshua Reynolds, contacted her after some of his constituents informed him they had received the letters. Lau relocated to the UK in 2021 following a crackdown on opposition figures and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong after the introduction of a controversial National Security Law.
During her time in the UK, Lau has been outspoken against the Chinese Communist Party, repeatedly criticizing its policies. She has also voiced concerns about China’s contentious plans to establish a large embassy in London, warning it might serve as a hub for suppressing dissent among Chinese critics overseas. Previously, up to a dozen neighbors in Kent received letters claiming to be from the police and offering a £95,000 bounty for anyone who would capture Lau and deliver her to the Chinese embassy in London. The latest letters, sent in the past month, appeared to come from Macau, near Hong Kong. Reflecting on the intensified harassment, Lau said, “I was quite shocked because last time it wasn’t explicit and so unpleasant to see.” She added, “When I was in Hong Kong pro-Beijing agents were trained to use gender-based harassment targeting pro-democracy activists, but AI technology has enhanced this sort of intimidation, it is beyond just transnational repression, as a woman it is very worrying.”
Joshua Reynolds emphasized the seriousness of the matter, telling the BBC, “the government need to be very clear that this is not acceptable, we cannot have these letters sent to UK residents.” He called for action to identify the source of the letters and held that “officials in Beijing need to be held accountable.” Reynolds also confirmed he had raised the issue with both the Home Office and the Foreign Office. A government spokesperson reaffirmed that “the safety and security of Hong Kongers in the United Kingdom is of the utmost importance.” Lau mentioned that the police had assured her that an investigation was underway.
The UK government has previously stated that it will not tolerate intimidation, harassment, or harm orchestrated by foreign powers against individuals or communities within its borders. It continues to engage directly with Chinese and Hong Kong officials regarding concerns about transnational repression. Public condemnations have been issued in response to arrest warrants and bounty offers made by the Hong Kong Police Force, underscoring the UK’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals like Lau
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