Standing With The People Of Hong Kong For Human Rights And Democracy

By Ewelina U. Ochab

September 15 marks the International Day of Democracy, a UN day aimed at reminding us of the importance of democracy. 

This year’s commemoration focuses on participation. 

Indeed, democracy is built on participation as well as other principals such as inclusion and equal treatment. 

As the UN reminds us, “True democracy is a two-way street, built on a constant dialogue between civil society and the political class. This dialogue must have real influence on political decisions. This is why political participation, civic space and social dialogue make up the very foundations of good governance. It is even more true with the impact of globalization and technological progress.” 

Unfortunately, this crucial civic space continues to shrink. 

“Civil society activists are finding it increasingly difficult to operate. Human rights defenders and parliamentarians are under attack. Women remain vastly under-represented. Journalists face interference, and in some cases violence.” 

These are all signs of democracy undermined or even at risk of collapse. 

Marking the UN day, the UN “urges all governments to respect their citizens’ right to active, substantive and meaningful participation in democracy.”

Protesters are seen holding up umbrellas while they walk down a street in Hong Kong on August 18, 2019. According to the organizers, over 1.7 million people attended the rally. 

However, in many parts of the world, such calls are bluntly ignored. 

The recent protects in Hong Kong are a perfect example. 

The protests in Hong Kong were sparked by a proposed extradition bill that would have enabled China to extradite individuals from Hong Kong and try them in mainland China. 

The bill has rightly sparked concerns. It could be interpreted as one step towards tightening the Chinese power grip over Hong Kong.
Hong Kong was handed back to China from British control in 1997. 

Hong Kong is governed under the authority of the Chinese government. 

The handover agreement was meant to guarantee Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy and accommodate the “one country, two systems” framework. 

Indeed, Hong Kong has an independent judiciary, legislature, a free press and other freedoms, that are often lacking in mainland China.
In light of the protests, the extradition bill was suspended in mid-June. 

The protests, nonetheless, continued with calls to officially withdraw the bill. 

First on September 4, 2019, Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, announced that her government will formally withdraw the extradition bill. 

As this step was taken too little too late, the protests continue.
In response to the protests, the authorities have been resorting to more and more excessive measures to curb the ongoing protests. 

Furthermore, towards the end of August 2019, several pro-democracy advocates, including Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow were arrested. 

They were charged with offences including taking part in an "unlawful" assembly. 

It is assessed that more than 800 people have been arrested since the being of the protests in June 2019.
As the UN reports, there is credible evidence of “law enforcement officials using anti-riot measures which are prohibited by international norms and standards.” 

Some examples include “firing tear gas canisters into crowded, enclosed areas and directly at individual protesters on multiple occasions, creating a considerable risk of death or serious injury.”
The UN called upon the authorities to act with restraint when responding to such protests; respect and protect peaceful protesters and ensure that any response to acts of violence is in accordance with international standards on the use of force. 

These calls appear not to be heard.
The example of the protests in Hong Kong and the excessive response to them shows the ever-growing challenges to participation, a necessary principle for any functioning democracy. 

As there is little international support and solidarity towards the peaceful protesters exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly, fundamental human rights enshrined in international legal standards, the authorities that try to suppress them will only continue until they break those protesting.
In solidarity with those protesting, on September 9, 2019, over 130 British parliamentarians delivered a letter to the U.K. Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, calling for international support for the people of Hong Kong. 

 Their letter emphasized that: “China’s recent words and actions indicate that their leadership has moved away from the commitment to upholding Hong Kong’s way of life, enshrined in their Basic Law and founded on values we share: commitment to the rule of law, democracy and human rights. The continuing protests by the courageous people of Hong Kong have been their response to increasing restrictions on those values.”
Standing alongside the people of Hong Kong, speaking up for their human rights and democracy, should be commended and encouraged. 

The alternative incites further human rights violations and suppression that should not be accepted in the 21st century.