The words: “Five demands, not one less”, are projected by pro-democracy lawmakers onto the wall behind Chief Executive Carrie Lam as she prepares to deliver her policy address in the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, on October 16. Photo: EPA-EFE
The words: “Five demands, not one less”, are projected by pro-democracy lawmakers onto the wall behind Chief Executive Carrie Lam as she prepares to deliver her policy address in the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, on October 16. Photo: EPA-EFE
Philip Bowring
Opinion

Opinion

Philip Bowring

Lessons from 1970s Hong Kong: the danger of unchecked police powers, and how a judge-led inquiry and an amnesty can work

  • When police mutinied in 1977 against an ICAC probe into corruption within the force, the governor of the time backed down, quickly ending a profound crisis
  • Carrie Lam’s policy address was perhaps her last chance to apply similar political solutions to the current crisis. Unfortunately, she completely missed the mark

Philip Bowring
Philip Bowring

Updated: 8:40am, 20 Oct, 2019

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The words: “Five demands, not one less”, are projected by pro-democracy lawmakers onto the wall behind Chief Executive Carrie Lam as she prepares to deliver her policy address in the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, on October 16. Photo: EPA-EFE
The words: “Five demands, not one less”, are projected by pro-democracy lawmakers onto the wall behind Chief Executive Carrie Lam as she prepares to deliver her policy address in the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, on October 16. Photo: EPA-EFE
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