Hong Kong’s freedoms are intact – there’s no need to be paranoid
Peter Kammerer reveals how a conversation with his son has reminded him that we are still free to speak our mind, within limits clearly set out, even in these politically charged times
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I’m not one to bring my work home with me. Current events are not much discussed around the home, although my sons occasionally raise with me news items they get from their main news source, Facebook. I’d never sounded them out on their political views, and assume that like most twentysomethings, they veer towards the left and liberalism. Such a demographic fits the profile of our young political agitators.
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A few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about either of my sons meeting Chappell. But Beijing’s blistering attacks on the Occupy movement and citizens suggesting independence for Hong Kong, and the disregard for China by elected candidates to Legco when taking their oaths has changed the atmosphere. There’s an impression that discussion of independence is akin to a criminal act and democracy is a dirty word that can only be talked about in low tones, if at all. We have “one country, two systems”, but the sense is that Beijing calls the shots and isn’t afraid to interpret what that means, as it sees fit, and Hong Kong doesn’t have a say.
There’s an impression that discussion of independence is akin to a criminal act
So I had the discussion with my son, who made it clear he’s got no interest in politics. No, no, I told him, there’s nothing wrong with keeping informed and following what you believe, just be careful with what you get up to in Hong Kong’s politically charged environment. A little later, having thought about how I reacted, I realised that I was a touch paranoid. Hong Kong still has its cherished freedoms and only those who go out of their way to push the limits in a disruptive manner end up on Beijing’s radar. If we self-censor, it’s our own doing.
We still have, as the Basic Law promises, “freedom of speech, of the press and publication; freedom of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration; and the right and freedom to form trade unions, and to strike”. As in any society, rules and regulations are established to protect the public interest and the rights and reputations of others. The law lays out what those limits are.
We’ve no need to be worried; our freedoms are as intact today as they were on July 1, 1997.
Peter Kammerer is a senior writer at the Post
