A pro-democracy campaigner who fled Hong Kong has been denied entry to Singapore despite holding a valid visa, with the city-state declaring that his presence would not align with national interests.
Nathan Law, currently living in exile in the UK, arrived in Singapore to attend a closed-door, invitation-only conference but was detained at the border for approximately four hours. Upon his detainment, he reported that authorities did not question him or provide a reason for the denial of entry.
Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that Law is wanted by Hong Kong authorities on charges of undermining national security. Law was seeking to attend an event amid ongoing crackdowns on dissent in Hong Kong since the government enforced a contentious national security law in 2020, which includes severe penalties for alleged secessionist activities.
The Ministry emphasized the country's cautious approach to external political matters, reiterating that entry to Singapore is subject to rigorous checks even for visa holders. Law's entry was ultimately deemed against Singapore's national interests, resulting in him being escorted onto the next flight back to San Francisco.
Law contends that the denial aligns with political motives, speculating external influences might be at play, possibly connected to the People's Republic of China. Having received his visa three weeks prior to travel, Law expressed concerns that the situation could reflect broader pressures faced by dissenters.
This event marks another instance of Singapore exercising caution regarding Hong Kong activists, highlighting its careful position amid delicate geopolitical relations.
In previous cases, notably in 2019, Singapore imposes restrictions and penalties on activists engaging in political discourse related to Hong Kong, revealing the government's balanced but sensitive stance on foreign political influences.
