NextFin news, Singaporean authorities denied entry to Nathan Law, a prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Changi Airport. Law, who holds a valid visa and was traveling on a UK Refugee Travel Document, was detained for four hours before being sent back to San Francisco, where he had flown in from.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of Singapore stated that Law was referred for questioning and underwent immigration and security assessments upon arrival. The ministry emphasized that visa holders remain subject to further checks at the point of entry. Singapore cited that Law's presence "would not be in Singapore’s national interests," noting that he is wanted by Hong Kong authorities for allegedly endangering national security.
Law was scheduled to attend a closed-door, invitation-only conference in Singapore. However, no specific reasons were provided to him for the denial of entry, and he was not questioned during the process. Law expressed uncertainty about whether external forces, including the People’s Republic of China, influenced Singapore’s decision.
Nathan Law is a well-known figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. He was elected to the Legislative Council in 2016 but fled Hong Kong in 2020 following the enactment of the national security law, which criminalizes acts such as secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, carrying penalties up to life imprisonment.
Singapore maintains an extradition treaty with Hong Kong, which may factor into its decision. The Singaporean government has not disclosed further details about the case or any diplomatic consultations related to the denial.
Law’s denial of entry marks a continuation of Singapore’s cautious stance on foreign political influences. Previously, in 2020, Singapore jailed civil rights activist Jolovan Wham for organizing an event featuring Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong, underscoring the city-state’s strict approach to political assemblies.
As of Monday, September 29, 2025, Nathan Law remains in exile and continues his advocacy work from abroad. Neither the Hong Kong nor Chinese governments have commented on Singapore’s decision.
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