Human rights group to deploy 15 observers for July 1 march in Hong Kong to watch police
Announcement comes as starting point of event remains matter of contention
A human rights group in Hong Kong will deploy 15 observers to see how police interact with demonstrators at a march on Sunday for the anniversary of the city’s return to Beijing’s rule.
Group member Icarus Wong Ho-yin said the group’s volunteers would be impartial.
“The observers are not protesters,” he explained. “They will not give advice to anyone during the march.”
Man ‘kicked stool from under’ district councillor as he promoted July 1 march
Observers will be given vests to wear so that marchers and law enforcement can easily identify them.
While the observers would primarily produce written records, Wong added, they might also film events “if it’s a better format” for capturing incidents such as physical clashes.
But event organiser Civil Human Rights Front objected. It said its participants might clash with the pro-Beijing group using the six soccer pitches at the same time.
The front, an umbrella body of 50 pro-democracy groups, appealed to a Security Bureau board on Monday to start its march from other parts of Causeway Bay. Its request was denied.
“We hope people do not worry about joining midway,” Ip said.
The front estimated 66,000 people attended the march last year. Police claimed 14,500 did.
“Lam cannot resolve the core conflicts, such as retirement protection and labour rights or housing issues, because she is bound by vested interests,” he said.