Jens Dalschiot, Danish sculptor of a statue commemorating pro-democracy protesters during Tiananmen Square crackdown in China (1989) has asked Hong Kong authorities for immunity from national security law so that he can come and take back the sculpture to Denmark.

Galschiot had loaned the sculpture, called "Pillar of Shame" to a local civil society group the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, in perpetuity.

The statue is made of Bronze and weighs two tonnes. In an open letter on Friday, Galschiot values the statue at around USD 1.4 million. He says that he was willing to take it back to Denmark, but that his presence in Hong Kong was necessary for the complex operation to go well.

<img alt="Sculptor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7a8f2ad-ce2c-4ced-a177-fedfe68d86e7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Sculptor.jpg" />

Cooperation from the university and city authorities for technical assistance, roadblocks and permits was also needed, he said.

Additionally, Galschiot asked for assurances that he would not be prosecuted under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 to punish what it sees as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

"I can understand from the press that the introduction of the new security legislation in Hong Kong means that there is a legal basis for arresting foreign nationals who engage in activities that criticise China," Galschiot wrote.

The statue's removal "will lead to activities and media coverage that could be perceived as criticism of China. Therefore, I will have to get a guarantee that my employees and I will not be prosecuted."

The university, the government's Security Bureau, and the Immigration Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The university gave the Alliance a deadline for the statue's removal, which expired a month ago. It said at the time it was seeking legal advice on what to do with it.

Democratic activists and some Western governments say the security law is a tool to silence dissent and push Hong Kong firmly on an authoritarian path. Chinese and city authorities maintain Hong Kong is still governed by the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms remain intact.

(With inputs from agencies)

Jens Dalschiot, Danish sculptor of a statue commemorating pro-democracy protesters during Tiananmen Square crackdown in China (1989) has asked Hong Kong authorities for immunity from national security law so that he can come and take back the sculpture to Denmark.

Jens Dalschiot, Danish sculptor of a statue commemorating pro-democracy protesters during Tiananmen Square crackdown in China (1989) has asked Hong Kong authorities for immunity from national security law so that he can come and take back the sculpture to Denmark. Galschiot had loaned the sculpture, called "Pillar of Shame" to a local civil society group the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, in perpetuity. The statue is made of Bronze and weighs two tonnes. In an open letter on Friday, Galschiot values the statue at around USD 1.4 million. He says that he was willing to take it back to Denmark, but that his presence in Hong Kong was necessary for the complex operation to go well. Cooperation from the university and city authorities for technical assistance, roadblocks and permits was also needed, he said. Additionally, Galschiot asked for assurances that he would not be prosecuted under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 to punish what it sees as subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. "I can understand from the press that the introduction of the new security legislation in Hong Kong means that there is a legal basis for arresting foreign nationals who engage in activities that criticise China," Galschiot wrote. The statue's removal "will lead to activities and media coverage that could be perceived as criticism of China. Therefore, I will have to get a guarantee that my employees and I will not be prosecuted." The university, the government's Security Bureau, and the Immigration Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The university gave the Alliance a deadline for the statue's removal, which expired a month ago. It said at the time it was seeking legal advice on what to do with it. Democratic activists and some Western governments say the security law is a tool to silence dissent and push Hong Kong firmly on an authoritarian path. Chinese and city authorities maintain Hong Kong is still governed by the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms remain intact. (With inputs from agencies)

Tiananmen statue sculptor requests immunity from Hong Kong security law

Zoom Video Communications Inc on Thursday acknowledged that its decision for suspending accounts and ending meetings related to the anniversary of China's Tiananmen Square was taken after the Chinese government demanded it to do the same.&nbsp;

Earlier, the video-conferencing app temporarily shut three accounts belonging to three activists, one in Hong Kong and two in the United States after they held an event to mark the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, which killed several pro-democracy protesters in China.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/zoom-shuts-account-of-us-based-chinese-dissidents-after-tiananmen-anniversary-meeting-304999">Zoom shuts account of US-based Chinese dissidents after Tiananmen anniversary meeting</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Sharing its statement on a blogpost, Zoom said the Chinese government had informed them about four large planned commemoration meetings and demanded they terminate the events and linked accounts.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-seeks-centres-reply-on-plea-for-ban-on-zoom-app-until-appropriate-legislation-is-put-in-place-300392">SC seeks Centre's reply on plea for ban on Zoom app until appropriate legislation is put in place</a>

The video-conferencing app decided to end three of those meetings and temporarily suspend the host accounts, the statement said, adding that the last meeting was not ended as it did not have participants from China.

Zoom said now it has reinstated all the accounts.&nbsp;

However, Zoom added that it did not share details of users or meeting content to the Chinese government, adding that it would in future not allow such requests from the administration which would impact users outside China.&nbsp;

Earlier, US-based Humanitarian China founder Zhou Fengsuo said his account was suspended by Zoom after he held the Tiananmen Square event.&nbsp;

The company said that it was updating its features so as to remove participants from a particular country on the basis of geography.&nbsp;

"This will enable us to comply with requests from local authorities when they determine activity on our platform is illegal within their borders," Zoom said.&nbsp;

"However, we will also be able to protect these conversations for participants outside of those borders where the activity is allowed."

(With Reuters inputs) 
&nbsp;

Zoom Video Communications Inc on Thursday acknowledged that its decision for suspending accounts and ending meetings related to the anniversary of China's Tiananmen Square was taken after the Chinese government demanded it to do the same.

Zoom Video Communications Inc on Thursday acknowledged that its decision for suspending accounts and ending meetings related to the anniversary of China's Tiananmen Square was taken after the Chinese government demanded it to do the same. Earlier, the video-conferencing app temporarily shut three accounts belonging to three activists, one in Hong Kong and two in the United States after they held an event to mark the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, which killed several pro-democracy protesters in China. Also read | Zoom shuts account of US-based Chinese dissidents after Tiananmen anniversary meeting Sharing its statement on a blogpost, Zoom said the Chinese government had informed them about four large planned commemoration meetings and demanded they terminate the events and linked accounts. Also read | SC seeks Centre's reply on plea for ban on Zoom app until appropriate legislation is put in place The video-conferencing app decided to end three of those meetings and temporarily suspend the host accounts, the statement said, adding that the last meeting was not ended as it did not have participants from China. Zoom said now it has reinstated all the accounts. However, Zoom added that it did not share details of users or meeting content to the Chinese government, adding that it would in future not allow such requests from the administration which would impact users outside China. Earlier, US-based Humanitarian China founder Zhou Fengsuo said his account was suspended by Zoom after he held the Tiananmen Square event. The company said that it was updating its features so as to remove participants from a particular country on the basis of geography. "This will enable us to comply with requests from local authorities when they determine activity on our platform is illegal within their borders," Zoom said. "However, we will also be able to protect these conversations for participants outside of those borders where the activity is allowed." (With Reuters inputs)

Zoom admits user accounts suspended after Chinese government demanded it

Tiananmen 'Tank Man' cameraman Charlie Cole passes away. Watch video to know more.

Tianamen 'Tank Man' cameraman Charlie Cole passes away

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