Statement: Hong Kong Watch condemns the disqualification of Joshua Wong from standing for District Council election
Statement: Hong Kong Watch condemns the disqualification of Joshua Wong from standing for District Council election
On 29 October 2019 it was announced that Joshua Wong Chi-fung was disqualified from standing in the Hong Kong District Council election. This is a clear example of political screening, and a breach of the right to stand in free and fair elections which is enshrined both in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong's Basic Law.
The disqualification of Mr Wong is only the latest in a long running trend of political screening in Hong Kong. Previous elections, notably the 2016 Legislative Council election and subsequent by-elections, were tainted by the disqualifications of multiple candidates and lawmakers on the basis that their political views were unacceptable.
Recent protests have been driven by a sense of disenfranchisement among the Hong Kong public. The disqualification of leading pro-democracy figures from standing for election will only heighten concerns about the political system, and is likely to increase protest. The Hong Kong government should reconsider their decision and immediately enact political reforms.
Commenting separately on the disqualification, Hong Kong Watch patron Lord Alton of Liverpool said: “I am shocked to see that Joshua Wong - one of the courageous founders of Hong Hong’s Umbrella Movement has been disqualified from standing in the Council Elections. This is yet another attempt to undermine democracy and autonomy.”
Lord Alton tabled this Question to the UK Government today:
“Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the disqualification of Joshua Wong from being able to stand for election in the District Council elections in Hong Kong; whether they are monitoring the elections for irregularities; and how they intend to challenge unjust disqualifications and irregularities.”
Note to editor: For Background, you can read Hong Kong Watch’s report on the political screening of candidates and lawmakers by clicking this link.