Pro-government groups must be more open about their agenda

It may be too soon to start ringing the alarm bells but something is happening in Hong Kong that mirrors the ugliest tactics of pro-government supporters in odious regimes overseas.

At the extreme, pro-government thugs in places like Zimbabwe go as far as killing anti-government activists. In Russia, thugs have been mobilised to terrorise the brave opponents of the Putin regime and intimidate the media when reporters refuse to toe the line.

Here in Hong Kong, we are witnessing the rise of a pro-government group called Caring Hong Kong Power, which came to prominence late last year when one of its members attacked a television cameraman covering a rally organised by the group. Its members are regularly mobilised to protest against other targets regarded as being anti-government.

It may be argued that this and other ad hoc groups claiming to be patriots are doing little more than aping the activities of some anti-government organisations. However, there are significant differences here.

First, this "Caring" group is an internet-based group that does not issue public statements explaining its positions, although members are vocal about what they don't like.

Second, documentary evidence exists that pro-government activists have been paid for joining demonstrations. In one widely viewed film, a demonstrator is seen loudly complaining that he did not get the money he was promised.

Third, and most importantly, there is a big difference between governments seeking support from political parties and other organisations that share their views, and seeking support from people with no open agenda but an obvious intention to silence opponents.