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Letters | Hong Kong protesters’ greatest grievance is police conduct: there are ways to address it
- Disbanding the force is not an option, but mandating the use of police body cameras and commissioning an independent inquiry would assuage public concerns, de-escalate the situation and could buy a ceasefire
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Why you can trust SCMP
The civil unrest in Hong Kong is about to enter its seventh month, after a lull that was all too brief. The lives of residents have been severely affected, and we have witnessed acts of violence, serious damage to public and private property, and even threats to life. Neither side is prepared to stand down, and the rhetoric has only become more extreme.
While the government has already withdrawn the controversial bill that sparked the whole movement, it has not made further concessions to defuse the situation. To de-escalate, it is important to understand why protesters are becoming radicalised.
The protesters’ greatest grievance now seems to be the perceived use of excessive force by the police.
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It is important for both protesters and the police to recognise that some of their actions have gone beyond the bounds of acceptability. However, it is also important to recognise that most police officers have gone above and beyond their duty, and have steadfastly maintained a high standard of professionalism.
Some of their more extreme actions are understandable, given that the same people they are supposed to protect are now attacking and insulting them. They are only human, even if these actions could further inflame tensions, creating a vicious circle.
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We must also recognise that most protesters are peaceful and truly want a better future for Hong Kong.
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