Hong Kong human rights activists denounce escalating violence used by police and protesters in ongoing extradition battles

Activists say both sides have ramped up violence as the protests wear on, with one campaigner calling the trend ‘worrying’

Sunday’s clash in Sha Tin left 28 people injured, including 13 police officers – one of whom had part of his finger bitten off

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An injured woman is treated at a shopping mall in Sha Tin on Sunday during clashes between extradition bill protesters and police. Photo: EPA

Published: 10:17pm, 15 Jul 2019Updated: 1:38am, 16 Jul 2019

Local human rights activists on Monday expressed concern over injuries suffered by protesters and police during a bloody clash in Sha Tin on Sunday, pointing out that both sides had increased their levels of violence as the protests continued.

The confrontation left 28 people injured, including 13 police officers – one of whom had part of his finger bitten off. Video footage and photographs showed protesters bleeding from head wounds and one having his wrist bent back by police after being subdued.

Icarus Wong Ho-yin, a member of Civil Rights Observer, said the situation was worrying.

“Injuries to both protesters and the police have become more serious,” he said.

Injuries to both protesters and the police have become more serious

Icarus Wong, a member of Civil Rights Observer

Law Yuk-kai, the director of Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor and who was at the protest, said police and protesters were hostile to each other. He urged the force to take a softer approach to future protests to avoid further bloodshed.

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