Injustice Claimed: HK Inmate Denied Early Release Under Security Law

A Hong Kong man, Adam Ma Chun-man, convicted of inciting secession, is seeking early release under the domestic national security law but has faced procedural unfairness from the prison service. Ma’s lawyers argue that the Correctional Services Department did not provide timely reasons for denying him a good behaviour reduction on his five-year sentence.

During a High Court hearing, it was revealed that Ma was given only a day to respond to the decision made by the commissioner of correctional services under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. It was only after filing a written statement that Ma received a prison committee’s summary of consideration regarding the refusal.

As a former food delivery worker, Ma has applied for a judicial review to request his immediate release from Tong Fuk Correctional Institution. The prison service has justified the denial of early discharge by stating that it is not in the nation’s interests.