Lights out in Hong Kong
John Lee, a former police inspector and Secretary for security, will today be appointed as Hong Kong Chief Executive by a marginal number of Beijing loyalists who have received no mandate from the people of Hong Kong.
On 12 June 2019 the Hong Kong police attacked peaceful protesters in Hong Kong. Amnesty International has documented a number of episodes where protestors were met with unprovoked violence by the police, e.g. beating a subdued protester with batons and thumping shield edges. The police also recklessly fired tear gas canisters into a crowd that was cornered, risking a stampede to evolve.
The population witnessed the unhinged police brutality with horror. Shortly thereafter, independent inquiry into police conduct and its use of force became perhaps the most important of the protest movement’s five demands.
Nevertheless, the police force’ conduct did not change for the better as summer turned to autumn in 2019. One of several episodes that shocked the people of Hong Kong occurred when police officers pepper sprayed and beat defenseless passengers on Prince Edward Station 31 August. The police had earlier failed to intervene when a white clad mob attacked Hongkongers on Yuen Long 21 July.
The demand to investigate the widespread police brutality received very strong support in Hong Kong. Opinion polls revealed that between 80% and 90% supported the demand for an independent inquiry into police misconduct.
In his capacity as Secretary for security John Lee had an indisputable responsibility for the lasting and deep misconduct of the Hong Kong police force after 12 June 2019. Today he will be appointed as Chief Executive. Rather than recognizing the concerns of its citizens over police brutality, the dictatorship has chosen to reward unprovoked violence directed at peaceful protesters.
The world has witnessed Beijing’s betrayal of promises made to Hong Kong in 1997. Respect for civil and political rights is history. An illustrating example is the fate of press freedom. The anti-establishment news outlets have in practice been banned, starting with the assault on Apple Daily in June 2021. Media owners, editors, founders and journalists have all been arrested. In the update of Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index which was published on 3 May, Hong Kong took a nosedive, as the city plunged an astonishing 68 places to rank 148.
In their free trade agreement “[Hong Kong and EFTA reaffirm] their commitment to democracy”. John Lee’s coronation by Beijing loyalists as Chief Executive deals a fatal blow to Hong Kong’s commitments. Lee is responsible for months of blatant police misconduct on Hong Kong’s streets, when protesters demanded that the government must live up to its commitment to democracy as stated in Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution. Hong Kong Committee in Norway now expects that EFTA member Norway declares Hong Kong to be in flagrant violation of the terms set forth in the free trade agreement.