At the mere age of 18, Honcques Laus is the youngest on a growing list of activists wanted by Hong Kong police over alleged violations of the national security law. He has never tasted alcohol, nor dated anyone. The first time he set foot on a plane was for the flight from Hong Kong to Britain, where he is now in exile.

His activism began in 2014, when the Umbrella Movement gave him a political awakening. The young teen saw a main thoroughfare outside the government headquarters occupied for 79 days. It was the moment when Laus realized the city lacked freedom or democracy and decided to delve into the realm of politics and the fight against social injustice.

The rise of localism in 2016 pushed him further towards the idea of Hong Kong independence. In 2017, the secondary school student made news headlines by whipping out a pro-independence protest banner when taking a photo with Chief Executive Carrie Lam at a public event.

A month later, he was arrested after police found him carrying a BB gun at a protest near the Legislative Council. Found guilty of “possession of an imitation firearm”, he was initially slapped with an 18-month probation order. However, with the help of senior counsel Martin Lee, he won an appeal against the sentence and was released after 22 days in prison.

The same year, he released a book at the age of 17, advocating for Hong Kong independence while criticizing the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities.

Expecting a heightened crackdown on dissent, he planned to leave Hong Kong as soon as rumors of an impending national security law spread in May. “Even though I am young, as long as I hold different political viewpoints that are not tolerated by the authorities, they will persecute me with the draconian legislation,” says Laus.

To keep a low profile, he did not inform his friends or families of the decision, nor bid farewell. His mother only learnt of his exile from the news.

The emotion that defined his exile was not grief, but anger, however.

“I am furious. Freedom of speech is a basic human right. Why am I forced to leave just because of my political viewpoints? I keep thinking, why me? Why shouldn’t it be those who have betrayed Hong Kong?”

Becoming a wanted criminal has thrown his life into disarray. Looking back, is the sacrifice worth it? Laus believes he has no other choice, like many other young people who are facing a tyranny in Hong Kong.

“Countries with freedom adopt representative democracy so that citizens can spend more time on their personal interests and develop their own lives instead of on politics. But the situation in Hong Kong is the opposite. Without freedom or democracy, the young need to protest on the streets to fight for democracy and sacrifice many precious things in their lives,” says Laus.

Laus also thanks the British government for their help. When he applied for political asylum upon arrival in London in June, the authorities immediately made arrangements for his food and accommodation, to which he owes a huge debt of gratitude.

The most precious is the air of freedom, the young activist says. “Here in the U.K. where I can enjoy freedom of speech, there is no reason for me to give up my political viewpoints. I will hold fast to my stance and continue to voice my opinion.”

Laus is also planning to obtain his university degree in Britain. “I can no longer study at the Open University of Hong Kong due to the Chinese Communist Party, but I hope to finish my studies here, probably a major in politics, language or philosophy.” Passionate about literature, he also hopes to translate On Liberty by John Stuart Mill into Cantonese, promoting English philosophy as well as the language of Hong Kong people.

First time far away from home, he is already feeling homesick only a few months in. “I dream of returning to Hong Kong every night. I miss everything about Hong Kong, the people, the culture, the language and the architecture.”

His life in exile will likely be counted in years, if not decades, but Laus believes his departure is only temporary. Victory awaits us in the distant future, after a long resistance, the 18-year-old is still hopeful.

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