Police in Hong Kong conducted raids on two independent bookstores, Have a Nice Stay and Greenfield Bookstore, on July 15, resulting in the arrest of five individuals on suspicion of sedition-related offences. This incident follows Have a Nice Stay's announcement that it would close due to financial challenges and concerns over ambiguous legal boundaries regarding what books can be sold.
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In a statement regarding the arrests, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director Sarah Brooks condemned the ongoing assaults on independent bookstores, emphasizing that these actions highlight the increasing repression in Hong Kong. Brooks stated that the criminalization of booksellers for their work is indicative of a broader strategy to silence dissent and stifle free thought.
The ambiguity surrounding which titles might provoke police action creates an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship among publishers and authors, according to Brooks. She called on Hong Kong authorities to cease using national security laws to target the peaceful exercise of human rights and to ensure that ideas can be shared freely without fear of repercussions.
Previously, police raids on bookstores have occurred, with notable incidents in 2026 involving Book Punch and Hunter Bookstore. Both shops faced similar allegations, particularly for selling works related to pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. All official communications regarding the recent arrests mentioned “seditious” publications under Hong Kong’s Article 23 law.