EIBF condemns the arrest of Hong Kong booksellers

Two booksellers were arrested last Wednesday in Hong Kong on allegations of "selling seditious publications and receiving funds from foreign political organisations." Local reports indicate that one of those arrested is Leticia Wong, owner of Hunter Bookstore and a prominent advocate for freedom of expression.

As EIBF, we strongly condemn these arrests as a direct assault on the universal right to access information and ideas, and as part of an alarming pattern of escalating repression against independent voices and intellectual freedom in Hong Kong. We remain resolutely committed to defending the right to publish, sell, and access books without fear of censorship or persecution.

EIBF calls for the immediate release of the arrested booksellers and urges the international community to join us in condemning these actions and standing in solidarity with booksellers and publishers worldwide who face repression for carrying out their essential work.