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Letters | Chris Patten and the silent hypocrisy on police action against protesters
- Chris Patten and others were quick to criticise Hong Kong police for using tear gas on student protesters in 2014
- Where were these British politicians when French police used pepper spray on climate protesters?
Strange silence from Chris Patten and his fellow politicians who love to characterise police actions against the “umbrella movement” in Hong Kong as an infringement of the right to protest. Why haven’t they said anything about the use of considerable police force to dismantle the Extinction Rebellion climate change protests in Britain and elsewhere in Europe? French police used pepper spray on peaceful protesters at close range. Does this mean it’s not OK to use tear gas in Hong Kong but pepper spray in Europe is somehow OK?
And, perhaps it was wrong to shut down the “Occupy” protests in Hong Kong that lasted more than two months and blocked major roadways – and yet in London, the beating heart of democracy, a week was already too much. Or, were Lord Patten and his mouthpieces taking an Easter break? What hypocrisy.
Bob Rogers, Sai Kung
What does HKNP crackdown mean for Hong Kong’s future?
I am writing in response to your report, “Crackdown on separatists will continue, Carrie Lam vows in Beijing report” (April 18). The Hong Kong government submitted a 12-page document to the central government on April 16, regarding the “prohibition on the operation of the Hong Kong National Party” and “related circumstances”. As you reported, that was the result of an unprecedented letter from Beijing requesting a report from the chief executive on the outlawing of the HKNP, while backing the move.
The outlawing of the HKNP was an unprecedented ban on a political party in Hong Kong, which made both Hongkongers and international observers lose their confidence in the protection of civil liberties under the “one country, two systems” principle. It could be that other countries wouldn’t support the special international status of Hong Kong much longer.
Moreover, shutting down HKNP indicates disrespect towards the freedoms of speech, assembly and association in Hong Kong as enshrined in the Basic Law. This was pointed out by local offices of the US, UK and the European Union – while clarifying that they did not support “Hong Kong independence”. Is there still any guarantee that these freedoms would be enjoyed by Hongkongers in the future?
Kasey Tsang, Tseung Kwan O
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