Hong Kong’s ‘dead’ extradition bill finally buried as government formally withdraws it
- Convenor of pro-democracy bloc Tanya Chan says protesters also have other demands, including an independent probe into alleged police brutality and the implementation of universal suffrage
- But Beijing-friendly lawmaker Gary Chan says city leader Carrie Lam has already acceded to protesters’ demands
But there was little hope it would be enough to ease the anti-government protests and civil unrest gripping the city for well over four months now.
The announcement was made by Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu in the legislature, following Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s promise in September that it would be officially withdrawn.
“As members of the public have diverging views over the bill, which has created social conflicts, the government has decided to suspend the legislation effort following research and reflection,” Lee said at the Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday.
“To spell out the government’s position clearly over the legislation effort, in accordance with the Legco’s rule 64(2), I formally announce the withdrawal of the bill.”
