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Clashes break out between Hong Kong protesters and riot police on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui on November 18. Photo: Winson Wong
OpinionLetters

Letters | What Hong Kong can learn from London about seeking the truth on violent protests, and moving on

  • Apportioning blame should not be the most important item on the agenda; easing social tensions should
Hong Kong protests
Letters
Letters
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The peace that reigned in Hong Kong around the district council elections was shattered on the night of November 30, when violent protests returned to the streets. After more than six months of social unrest, the government clearly needs to establish an independent riot study commission to analyse the causes and help restore stability.

The members of such a commission should come from across the social and political spectrum. In the UK in August 2011, in the week after the Tottenham/London riots ended, then prime minister David Cameron and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg announced the setting up of the Riots, Communities, and Victims Panel. The commission was chaired by the deputy secretary of the labour department. The panel’s report addressed the entrenched issues behind the riots and shed light on ways to aid the recovery of those affected.

The experience of London shows that, if Hong Kong were to set up a similar commission, it would be essential to invite representatives from different sectors and parties to join it.

Specifically, the commission should include new district councillors, student representatives, leaders of different political parties, police representatives and even business leaders.

This way, the government could demonstrate its willingness to listen to multiple voices and its readiness to bridge the political divide. More importantly, recommendations coming from such a commission would be more likely to gain public support and help address the social unrest effectively.

Secondly, the commission should be transparent to the public. Since its aim would be to address social discontent, high transparency would boost public trust. Moreover, channels should be made available for citizens to express their views and give the commission suggestions.

Finally, although some pan-democrats have been urging the government to set up a commission of inquiry, apportioning blame should not be the most important item on our agenda; easing social tensions should be our first priority.

If the commission is set up to look into the legal responsibility of officials and police officers, it would only stir up more conflicts or even hatred between parties.

Moreover, if the pro-democracy camp wants an amnesty for protesters, the same should apply to government officials and the police.

Therefore, only a commission to study the riots can help draw people’s attention back to resolving the social conflict together, instead of Hong Kong becoming mired in a cycle of endless retaliation and accusations.

Ali Ng, Mong Kok

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