Hong Kong Watch stands in solidarity with Hong Kongers commemorating the sixth anniversary of the ‘612 incident’

Hong Kong Watch stands in solidarity with Hong Kongers around the world in commemorating the sixth anniversary of the ‘612 incident’, when the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) deployed rubber bullets and tear gas against peaceful pro-democracy protesters for the first time during the 2019 anti-extradition law protests in Hong Kong.

Between 12 June 2019 and 29 February 2020, the HKPF fired a total of 19 rounds of live ammunition, 16,191 rounds of tear gas, 10,100 rounds of rubber bullets, 2,033 beanbag rounds and 1,880 rounds of sponge bullets at protesters, which led to serious eye injuries on at least three occasions.

To mark this date, Hong Kong Watch is co-organising a public forum in central London alongside 9 Hong Kong organisations to explore how the Hong Kong diaspora can find a voice in international political spaces, strengthen connection within the community, and continue the pro-democracy movement.

Hong Kong Watch Senior Research and Policy Advisor Thomas Benson will also address an online 612 commemoration hosted by Birmingham HongKongers, a local BNO community group, via video message, where he speaks about the ongoing advocacy efforts of Hong Kong Watch and the lessons of the 612 incident.

We pay tribute to the courageous protesters and activists who risked their lives and freedom to defend the civil and political rights enshrined in Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and who in many cases continue to be persecuted by the Hong Kong government to this day.

We will always remember 612 and stand with the people of Hong Kong as the struggle for freedom continues in and outside the city.

「反送中」運動六週年｜毋忘612 香港監察與港人站在同一陣線

香港監察與世界各地的香港人並肩同行，一起紀念在2019年香港「反送中」抗爭運動期間發生的「612事件」六週年，香港警察當日首次向和平爭取民主的示威者施放橡膠子彈和催淚彈。

在2019年6月12日至2020年2月29日期間，香港警察一共向示威者發射19發實彈、16,191枚催淚彈、10,100發橡膠子彈、2,033發布袋彈和1,880發海綿彈，至少三人眼睛因而嚴重受傷。

為紀念612這一日，香港監察正與9個港人組織在倫敦市中心合辦公眾論壇，探討流散港人如何在國際政治舞台找到自己的聲音，加強社群內部連繫，並延續民主運動。

香港監察資深研究及政策顧問Thomas Benson亦將透過錄影在本地BNO社區團體「Birmingham HongKongers」主辦的612網上分享交流會上發言，分享香港監察現正展開的倡議工作和612事件的經驗教訓。

香港監察向勇敢的示威者和社運人士致敬，他們押上自由以命相搏，捍衛香港《基本法》和《中英聯合聲明》所列明的公民及政治權利，而至今在大部分情況下，他們仍然受到香港政府迫害。

香港自由之戰在城內外持續遍地開花，我們毋忘612，並永遠站在港人一方。