In Hong Kong the first public demonstration in two years

In Hong Kong, the first public demonstration in two years under draconian conditions

Sunday March 26 was the first protest to receive official approval since Hong Kong’s health measures were lifted. Since Beijing introduced a national security law in metropolitan China in 2020 to end pro-democracy protests and silence dissent, there have been few public protests against the policy due to repression and social distancing measures related to Covid-19 held by the local government.

Sunday’s protest against a landfill project in the east of the territory took place under strict conditions. Police imposed draconian restrictions on organizers, including limiting attendance to 100 people and wearing a numbered ID card. Police surrounded the crowd with a chain, separating journalists and demonstrators.

Officials searched banners and signs for “politically sensitive and inflammatory words,” said Cyrus Chan, who organized the protest. “Ridiculous” terms, said one of the eighty or so participants. “It’s intimidating… but what can we do?” ” explained Agence France-Presse (AFP) this retired official, who wished to remain anonymous.

“Today, even the simple act of getting some fresh air can endanger national security. »

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“Disproportionate” Measures

Questioned by AFP about these modalities, police said they conduct a “thorough” assessment of the risks associated with public events based on “motive, nature, number of participants, past experiences and recent events.”

Eric Lai, of the Center for Asian Law at Georgetown University, described to AFP “disproportionate” measures such as counting and identifying protesters, which he said were unprecedented in previous demonstrations sanctioned by Hong Kong police.

Since the health measures were lifted, Hong Kong has hosted major public events – from music festivals to art fairs. Local authorities ensure that residents continue to enjoy freedom of expression and association. In March, a women’s rights group canceled a demonstration – which would have been the first civil rights demonstration in Hong Kong in years – after police repeatedly summoned the organizers.

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The world with AFP