Details Published on Sunday 16 June 2019 12:02 Written by Radical Socialist
Saturday 15 June 2019
We, the undersigned organisations, are deeply concerned about the high-handed approach by the Hong Kong government in dealing with the recent mass protests against the proposed extradition bill.
We condemn the use of unprecedented excessive force by the Hong Kong police in dispersing and arresting protesters. The use of tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and bean bag rounds, as well as beating up unarmed protesters have caused injuries to many. Such brutality is unacceptable.
Despite the massive peaceful demonstration on 9 June, the largest since the handover of Hong Kong to China, the Hong Kong government led by Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor continues to ignore the demands of the people. In fact, the refusal of the Hong Kong government to listen to the people’s demands and its insistence in pushing the extradition bill has ignited and expanded the protests.
In recent years, the shrinking of political space and the Hong Kong government’s increasingly aggressive behaviour in curtailing civil and political freedom has become a worrying trend in Hong Kong. Many political dissidents and activists have been targeted for arrests and selected prosecution with various allegations. The erosion of democratic freedom in Hong Kong also instils the fear that Hong Kong is losing its unique autonomy with the expansion of Beijing’s political control over the city. Deterioration of political freedom will definitely hinder efforts to tackle social inequalities in a city with a widening wealth gap.
Hong Kong is the only city in China which can still freely commemorate the June Fourth massacre. To protect Hong Kong autonomy is thus not only the concern of the people of Hong Kong but also of all the people of China.
We urge the government of Hong Kong to:
withdraw the proposed extradition bill;
stop the violence against peaceful protesters;
stop the repression and persecution of political activists.
We stand with the people of Hong Kong and express our solidarity with their fight to defend their political freedom and autonomy.
Signed by,
- Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM)
- Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor, Malaysia
- North South Initiative, Malaysia
- Agora Society, Malaysia
- Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT), Malaysia
- Liberasi, Malaysia
- Socialist Alliance, Australia
- Australia Asia Workers Link
- Fightback Aotearoa/Australia
- Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU), Cambodia
- Europe solidaire sans frontières (ESSF), France
- Forum Arbeitswelten €“ Forum Worlds of Labour, Germany
- Centre for Workers Education, India
- Worker’s Initiative, Kolkata, India
- Radical Socialist, India
- Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, India
- Working People Party (Partai Rakyat Pekerja), Indonesia
- People’s Liberation Party (PPR), Indonesia
- Lembaga Informasi Perburuhan Sedane (LIPS), Indonesia
- Confederation of National Union (Konfederasi Serikat Nasional), Indonesia
- Konfederasi Pergerakan Rakyat Indonesia (KPRI), Indonesia
- Konfederasi Persatuan Buruh Indonesia (KPBI), Indonesia
- National Network for Domestic Workers Advocacy (Jala PRT), Indonesia
- RUMPUN, Indonesia
- Korea House for International Solidarity, Korea
- Labour Education Foundation, Pakistan
- Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), Philippines
- Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), Philippines
- Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN), Philippines
- Kalipunan ng mga Kilusang Masa (KALIPUNAN) / Social Movements’ Coalition, Philippines
- Coalition Against Trafficking in Women €“ Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)
- Action for Democracy in Thailand (ACT4DEM)
- Just Economy and Labor Institute, Thailand
- New Isan Movement, Thailand
- Socialist Resistance, UK
- RS21, UK
- TheOwl, Hong Kong
- Borderless Movement, Hong Kong
- League of Social Democrats, Hong Kong