Stop police brutality in HK! No extradition to China!

LETTER | We, the undersigned organisations, are deeply concerned about the high-handed approach by the Hong Kong government in dealing with the recent mass protests against the proposed extradition bill.

We condemn the use of unprecedented excessive force by the Hong Kong police in dispersing and arresting protesters. The use of tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and bean bag rounds, as well as beating up unarmed protesters have caused injuries to many. Such brutality is unacceptable.

Despite the massive peaceful demonstration on June 9, the largest since the handover of Hong Kong to China, the Hong Kong government led by Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor continues to ignore the demands of the people. In fact, the refusal of the Hong Kong government to listen to the people’s demands and its insistence in pushing the extradition bill has ignited and expanded the protests.

In recent years, the shrinking of political space and the Hong Kong government’s increasingly aggressive behaviour in curtailing civil and political freedom has become a worrying trend in Hong Kong. Many political dissidents and activists have been targeted for arrests and selected prosecution with various allegations.

The erosion of democratic freedom in Hong Kong also instils the fear that Hong Kong is losing its unique autonomy with the expansion of Beijing's political control over the city. Deterioration of political freedom will definitely hinder efforts to tackle social inequalities in a city with a widening wealth gap.

Hong Kong is the only city in China which can still freely commemorate the June 4 massacre. To protect Hong Kong autonomy is thus not only the concern of the people of Hong Kong but also of all the people of China.

We urge the government of Hong Kong to:

• withdraw the proposed extradition bill;
• stop the violence against peaceful protesters; and
• stop the repression and persecution of political activists.

We stand with the people of Hong Kong and express our solidarity with their fight to defend their political freedom and autonomy.

Signed by:

1. Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM)

2. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor, Malaysia

3. North South Initiative, Malaysia

4. Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT), Malaysia

5. Socialist Alliance, Australia

6. Cambodian Alliance of Trade Unions (CATU), Cambodia

7. Europe solidaire sans frontières (ESS), France

8. Centre for Workers Education, India

9. Worker's Initiative, Kolkata, India

10. Working People Party (Partai Rakyat Pekerja), Indonesia

11. People's Liberation Party (PPR), Indonesia

12. LIPS - Lembaga Informasi Perburuhan Sedane, Indonesia

13. Confederation of National Union (Konfederasi Serikat Nasional), Indonesia

14. Konfederasi Pergerakan Rakyat Indonesia (KPRI), Indonesia

15. Konfederasi Persatuan Buruh Indonesia (KPBI), Indonesia

16. Korea House for International Solidarity, Korea

17. Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), Philippines

18. Borderless Movement, Hong Kong

19. League of Social Democrats, Hong Kong

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