On Wednesday evening, thousands of people flocked to Victoria Park to attend the candle-light vigil to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the June 4 massacre in Beijing.
It is not known how many people perished. Beijing should conduct an independent inquiry and present its findings to the people. This should include recommendations for rehabilitation and compensation for the victims and their families. The leaders in Beijing should make a formal apology to the victims and their families. Only then can the healing begin.
At the time, hundreds of thousands of people in Hong Kong took part in huge demonstrations to offer their support for the Beijing students. They donated money, blood and tents. Democrats who led the movement were not allowed to travel to the mainland. Almost two decades later, the ban is still in place and there is no sign that it will be lifted. Twelve members of the Legislative Council, including myself, are affected.
On April 30, I moved a motion debate in Legco calling on Beijing to lift the ban. It was voted down.
On the 19th anniversary of the massacre, we should reflect on the values that the Tiananmen protesters fought, and died, for. One can never say they died in vain, but the road to a democratic and free China is long and rocky.
On August 8, the Olympic Games will open in Beijing. When, in 2001, the Chinese government made its bid to host the Olympics, it gave an undertaking to enhance human rights and develop democracy. That promise has not been kept.
This year's Amnesty International report, released last week, painted a grim picture. It said a growing number of human rights activists were being imprisoned, harassed, and put under house arrest or surveillance. Repression of minority groups, including Tibetans and Uygur Muslims, has continued.