LettersNot Trump, nor Hong Kong police or protesters: no one is above the law

Hongkongers want an independent commission of inquiry into the protests, not just any committee or panel that can’t call witnesses to testify on specific allegations of brutality inflicted by police or protesters

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Protesters put up an effigy of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor covering her ears and eyes, in light of perceived government inaction over months of protests and the protesters’ five demands, including an inquiry into police action, in Admiralty on October 16. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 7:15am, 26 Dec 2019Updated: 10:30pm, 29 Dec 2019

Since the November 24 district council elections, the Hong Kong government must have done its publicly announced exercise of listening and self-reflection, a stonewalling tactic despised by lawmakers from both the pro-democracy and pro-establishment camps.

The latest public opinion poll indicates more than 60 per cent of Hong Kong residents want an independent commission of inquiry, thus rejecting the government’s proposed independent review committee that will explore macro (aka “fuzzy”) issues, without calling witnesses to testify on the root causes of violence and vandalism, and specific allegations of brutality inflicted by blue shirts, white shirts and black shirts.

Of the five demands made by Hong Kong protesters, the government has thus far made one late concession in September: withdrawal of the widely hated extradition bill that was reportedly Carrie Lam Yuet-ngor’s single-minded concoction.

Had Lam made the withdrawal after the “two million march” in June, Hong Kong would not have sunk into its current quagmire. The lesson here is clear: timing is everything.

Recent views expressed by a pro-establishment Legislative Council member would indicate that the Legco can initiate an independent commission of inquiry into all causes and allegations, unlike the Independent Police Complaints Council, a civilian body tasked to monitor the Hong Kong Police Force’s Complaints Against Police Office.