Honoring Hong Kong's Prison Rights Champion Shiu Ka-chun's Legacy Lives On

Honoring Hong Kong's Prison Rights Champion Shiu Ka-chun's Legacy Lives On

Hong Kong recently bid farewell to one of its most ardent advocates for prisoners' rights, Shiu Ka-chun. As hundreds gathered at a Hong Kong church to pay their respects, it was evident that his legacy would endure.

Shiu, 55, passed away last month after revealing he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Throughout his lifetime, he dedicated himself to championing the cause of prisoners' rights in Hong Kong. This commitment included representing his profession in Hong Kong's legislature and later serving time behind bars for his activism during the Umbrella Movement.

A Life Dedicated to Justice

As a social worker and university lecturer, Shiu was uniquely equipped to make a meaningful impact. He founded Wall-fare, a support group that helped families navigate the complexities of prison bureaucracy. This work took on even greater significance as thousands were imprisoned in Hong Kong following the 2019 protests.

Shiu's passion for prisoners' rights was contagious, inspiring others to get involved. Wong, a young woman who credits Shiu with starting her down the path of activism, noted He was the reason I became interested in prisoners' rights... he made me want to do more. His dedication had a profound effect on those around him.

A Legacy that Endures

Although Shiu is no longer with us, his work continues to have a lasting impact. His pen pal program connected people behind bars with those on the outside, fostering a sense of community and hope. He also arranged for books to be mailed to prisoners, making life a little more bearable.

Novelist Chiang, who collaborated with Shiu, observed He devoted himself because of his Christian faith and his commitment to society. That's very admirable. His dedication was not without its challenges, however. Wall-fare was shut down in 2021 after Hong Kong's security chief accused it of endangering national security.

Paying Tribute

As the memorial service came to a close, many who had been touched by Shiu's work came forward to pay their respects. Activist Dickson Chau hailed him as a pioneer within the legislature who tried to change the system. Others, including Cardinal Joseph Zen and barrister Margaret Ng, were also in attendance.

In his final months, Shiu wrote about his struggle with cancer, saying I'm losing weight, not faith. His words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of joy and suffering in our lives.

As we look to the future, it is clear that Shiu's legacy will continue to inspire others to work towards justice and human rights. His life and work serve as a testament to the enduring power of commitment and dedication to a noble cause.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.