Hong Kong police are working to secure a memorial service for Tiananmen | Human Rights Issues
Thousands of police officers were dispatched to Hong Kong on Friday and the organizer of the annual Chinese offensive in Tiananmen Square was arrested, as authorities tried to prevent people from gathering to commemorate the 1989 event.
Hong Kong often has mass control remembering those killed when the military seized the stadium, which was full of protesters demanding democracy, but police have banned the incident two years ago in protest of the coronavirus epidemic.
This year is the first to be held since China’s rule National security law in Hong Kong punishing whatever Beijing sees as rebellion, isolation, “terrorism” or alliance with foreign groups for the rest of their lives in prison.
Police did not name the commemoration, which has been removed from the country’s history, in violation of the law, but said in a statement on Thursday that any meeting could be “dangerous to public health and life” and warned those involved in “illegal gatherings” could be jailed for almost years. five.
“The police will put in place the right person for the day and take action to enforce the law, including the arrest,” police said.
A further 7,000 officers have conducted searches and searches throughout the day, has released RTHK television, citing unnamed sources.
Hong Kong was promised political freedom and undisclosed independence when it was repatriated to China in 1997, but since the National Security Law was enacted almost a year ago, many pro-democracy activists, including many lawmakers, have been arrested and others imprisoned. Some have been taken into exile.
Chow Hang-tung, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which organizes the annual guard, was arrested Friday morning by clothing officers outside his office in the city center.
A police officer told the AFP news agency that Chow had been detained in accordance with Section 17A of the Public Order Ordinance, which deals with the declaration of illegal meetings.
A 20-year-old man was also detained Friday morning after sharing a social networking site that police said had been found “announcing or announcing a public meeting that police have banned,” Senior Superintendent Terry Law was quoted as saying by Hong Kong Printing Press Kong.
Regional Chief Carrie Lam did not comment on the commemorations, saying citizens should respect the law, as well as the Communist Party, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next month.
The researchers said it appeared the government was trying to erase any memory of the Tianan people in the area.
“All of this shows that the government is doing everything possible to prevent people from lighting candles or commemorating June 4,” Alkan Akad, a researcher in China and Amnesty International, told Al Jazeera. “According to international human rights law, there is no need to seek permission from the authorities for peaceful assembly. Lighting a candle is not a crime. A peaceful recollection of what happened 32 years ago is not a crime.”
A permanent reminder
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Tiananmen’s protests “were heard in the fight for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong” in recognition of this year’s ban.
“The United States will continue to stand by the Chinese people as they demand that their government respect the human rights of all people,” Blinken said in a statement. “We salute the dedication of those who were killed 32 years ago, as well as the brave who continue their efforts today under state oppression.”
#Breaking #ChowHangTung, second to the chair of #Makhadzi Alliance has been arrested for publishing or publishing an illegal meeting this morning # June4. We need to ask him this morning. Here is our report LIVE. @AJEnglish @alirezatalischioriginal pic.twitter.com/rgbYo2tuvE
– Bertha Wang (@berthawangg) June 4, 2021
The arrest of prominent leaders follows a policy.
But the arrest of a 20-year-old man for bringing food for encouraging waiting sent a message to the ordinary Hongkonger. https://t.co/RVuoBKZEO2
– Tom Grundy (@tomgrundy) June 4, 2021
Thousands of people in Hong Kong defied the 2020 ban, and gathered in Victoria Park to light candles.
This year, many are planning to light candles in their area, if possible. Some churches will be open to pray.
Arrested activist Jimmy Sham said via his Facebook page he wanted to “light a cigarette at 8pm”.
“We do not see the hope of democracy and freedom in the leader, the party, or the party. Every one of us has the hope of democracy and freedom. ”
Celebrity Joshua Wong was sentenced to 10 months in prison last month admits to taking part in last year’s vigil, while the other three received four to six months. Twenty people are due in court on June 11 on similar charges.
The union in Hong Kong has said it has stopped inviting people to come to Victoria Park without holding an online commemoration like 2020.
Thousands of people often fill Victoria Park in Hong Kong to commemorate the destruction of Tiananmen Square and call for democracy in China [File: Tyrone Siu/Reuters]
His chairman Lee Cheuk-yan game He is in prison for an illegal meeting.
On Wednesday, the Hong Kong Museum of June 4 said it would be temporarily closed for investigating whether it had a public entertainment license.
Tianan monuments are banned in China, and Macau’s autonomous region has also banned activities on June 4.
On the democratic island of Taiwan, a monument will be erected in Taipei’s Liberty Square, where people can lay flowers and follow the rules. Diodes for emitting light or LED lighting for 64 lights are also installed on the platform.
China did not report all the incidents that took place in 1989. The death toll from the authorities a few days later was about 300, most of them soldiers, but freedom fighters and witnesses say thousands more may have been killed.
