STATEMENT: Hong Kong Watch condemns escalation of police violence and use of live rounds during protests
Hong Kong Watch condemns escalation of police violence and use of live rounds during protests
On Monday 11 November, there was yet another escalation in police violence against protestors. There were clashes between police and protestors throughout the day. One police officer shot a young man with a live round, and another tried to run down protestors on a motorbike. These actions are an absurdly excessive use of force, and the Hong Kong Police Force must not be allowed to act with impunity. Their actions are a clear breach of the rights and freedoms enshrined in the handover agreement, curtailing freedom of expression, freedom of association, and potentially in the case of the man now in a critical condition: the right to life.
Later on in the day a pro-Beijing supporter was doused in petrol and set alight by protestors. Hong Kong Watch condemns this and calls for the deescalation of violence.
The events of 11 November follow two other disturbing developments. On Friday 8 November, a young man died following an injury he sustained fleeing tear gas. On Saturday 9 November, the South China Morning Post reported that a girl had received an abortion after allegedly being gang-raped in a police station. Both of these incidents require urgent investigation by a body independent of the Hong Kong Police Force. An independent panel of experts have concluded that the Independent Police Complaints Council are unable to adequately investigate. Hong Kong Watch urges the Hong Kong Government to establish an independent inquiry into police brutality.
Hong Kong is at a critical moment and it is vital that the international community stands with the people of Hong Kong. The United Kingdom government, as a co-signatory of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, should consider every available means of action to stand in solidarity, including the extension of the rights of British National (Overseas) passport holders, the enactment of Magnitsky sanctions against the perpetrators of human rights violations, and the creation of a UN contact group to coordinate diplomacy with like-minded nations. The United States Congress should pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.