Nathan Law, the exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and former lawmaker, found himself at the center of an international controversy this past weekend after being denied entry to Singapore, despite holding a valid visa. Law, who fled Hong Kong in 2020 after Beijing imposed the sweeping National Security Law, had traveled from San Francisco to attend a closed-door, invitation-only event in the city-state. Instead, he was detained at the border, questioned, and ultimately deported back to the United States—a move that has sparked debate over Singapore’s stance on political dissent and its relationship with both Hong Kong and China.
Law’s journey to Singapore began with what seemed like all the proper paperwork. According to statements Law made to Al Jazeera, BBC, and other outlets, he had applied for a visa that was approved three weeks prior to his departure. The visa was meant to allow him a one-time entry for a few days to attend the invitation-only event. Law, who currently lives in exile in London and holds a UK Refugee Travel Document, boarded his flight from San Francisco with every expectation of being allowed entry.
But upon arrival on Saturday night, September 27, 2025, Law’s experience took a sharp turn. He was detained at the airport for four hours, during which, as he told BBC, “I was not asked questions and they did not give reason for the denial.” Eventually, he was informed that his entry had been refused. Law spent about 14 hours in Singapore before being put on the earliest flight back to San Francisco on Sunday, September 28.
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the decision, stating that a visa holder is still subject to further checks at the point of entry. A ministry spokesperson told BBC, “Mr Law’s entry into and presence in the country would not be in Singapore’s national interests.” The official added, “A visa holder is still subject to further checks at point of entry into the country. That is what happened with Nathan Law.” The ministry also noted that Law was referred for “questioning, and immigration and security assessment” after landing.
Law, for his part, suspects political motives behind the decision. In a statement cited by France 24 and NPR, he said, “I think the decision to deny my entry was political, although I am unsure whether external forces, such as the PRC, are involved, directly or indirectly.” The PRC refers to the People’s Republic of China. Law’s uncertainty about the extent of Beijing’s involvement is echoed by many observers, given the broader context of Hong Kong’s crackdown on dissent and the international reach of the National Security Law.
Law is one of eight high-profile pro-democracy activists wanted by Hong Kong authorities for alleged violations of the National Security Law, which Beijing imposed on the city in 2020 following massive anti-government protests in 2019. The law targets secession, subversion, and terrorism, with punishments of up to life in prison. In 2023, Hong Kong police issued warrants for Law and other self-exiled activists, offering rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars (about $128,000) for information leading to their arrests. According to NPR, Law is accused of colluding with foreign parties and inciting secession, allegedly through meetings with foreign officials, open letters, petitions, social media posts, and media interviews.
Law rose to prominence as a student leader during the 2014 Umbrella Movement, a wave of pro-democracy protests that called for greater electoral freedoms in Hong Kong. In 2016, he was elected to the Hong Kong legislature but was later disqualified after raising his tone during the oath of office, making it sound like a question—an act that authorities deemed unacceptable. He co-founded the political party Demosisto and, until the imposition of the National Security Law, was one of the most vocal advocates for democratic rights in the city.
Since the National Security Law was enacted, Hong Kong’s political landscape has changed dramatically. Authorities have eliminated opposition parties in the legislature, shuttered critical media outlets, and outlawed public commemorations of politically sensitive events, such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Beijing and the Hong Kong government defend the crackdown as a necessary response to threats to national security, but critics argue it has effectively silenced dissent and dismantled the city’s once-vibrant civil society.
The international dimension of Law’s case is further complicated by Singapore’s legal and diplomatic ties with Hong Kong. Singapore is one of 20 countries to have signed an extradition treaty with the Chinese territory. While about half of those countries suspended extradition agreements with Hong Kong in response to the National Security Law, Singapore’s agreement remains in force. However, as NPR notes, the agreement does not appear to cover national security crimes—at least not explicitly.
Singapore’s government has historically taken a firm stance against what it calls the “importation of politics of other countries.” In 2019, the city-state fined a local activist for holding an online forum that featured Joshua Wong, another prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy figure, speaking via teleconference. The government has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to maintaining political stability and not allowing foreign political activism to take root within its borders.
The Hong Kong government, for its part, has called on Law to “immediately stop all acts that endanger national security, and return to Hong Kong and surrender to rectify his wrongdoing,” according to a spokesperson quoted by the BBC. Meanwhile, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson described Law as “an anti-China, anti-Hong Kong troublemaker who has been lawfully placed on the wanted list by the Hong Kong police.”
Law’s case illustrates the far-reaching consequences of the National Security Law, not just for activists within Hong Kong, but for those living in exile and seeking to participate in international events. It also highlights the difficult balancing act faced by countries like Singapore, which must weigh their own national interests, legal obligations, and diplomatic relationships when responding to politically sensitive cases.
For now, Law remains in exile, continuing his advocacy from abroad while navigating the complex web of international law and diplomacy that now defines the lives of many Hong Kong dissidents. The refusal of entry by Singapore sends a clear signal about the city-state’s priorities—and raises fresh questions about the future of pro-democracy activism in the region.