Hong Kong Police Use Violence Against Protesters | News Asia | '
Accompanied by clashes between police and protesters, Hong Kong celebrations kicked off with the 22nd anniversary of the return of the former British Crown Colony to China.
Policemen used batons and pepper spray against protesters who had begun to occupy streets in the government district. Thousands of protesters gathered to protest against the annual flag ceremony.
Unlike usual, Hong Kong Prime Minister Carrie Lam and invited guests watched the ceremony not in the open air but on a screen in a nearby convention center, which was justified by bad weather.
Hong Kong is planning a big demonstration in the afternoon on the anniversary of the return of the area to China. The annual protest march is likely to be particularly large this year because of the already heated mood in the financial metropolis.
In Hong Kong, there has been weeks of the biggest protests in recent decades. The demonstrations were directed primarily against a planned extradition law. Up to two million people took to the streets.
The extradition law would allow Hong Kong authorities to extradite Chinese accused persons to the People's Republic. Critics warn that China's judiciary is not independent and serves political persecution. Also threatened with torture and ill treatment.
Head of Government Carrie Lam (archive image)
Lam had put the extradition law after the outcry in the population on ice. However, the protesters want to continue protesting until the law is officially withdrawn, detained members of the protest movement and punished by police who violently violated protesters.
On July 1, 1997, Britain returned its Hong Kong crown colony to China. Actually, according to the Hong Kong return agreement, there are more freedoms until 2047 than Chinese in the People's Republic. But more and more Hong Kongers criticize that Beijing is already curtailing their rights.
stu / fab (dpa, afp)
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