Let the light of democracy shine in every corner of Hong Kong!

Submitted by martin on 2 September, 2019 - 1:16 Author: Civil Human Rights Front
Lennon wall at UQ

This is a statement issued on 31 August 2019, by the broad-based campaign, the Civil Human Rights Front, who have been calling all the big demonstrations in Hong Kong. Their application for a demonstration on 31 August was refused by the police and their appeal to court was rejected.

31 August was the 5th anniversary of the National People's Congress decision to block universal suffrage for HK to elect its own Chief Executive, even though this is provided for in the one country two systems arrangement agreed between China and the UK in 1984.

Thanks to Chan Ying for translating the statement.


Civil Human Rights Front: an open letter to all Hong Kong families

Five years ago, the National People’s Congress announced their “31 August” decision, guillotining the prospect of electing the HKSAR Chief Executive by universal suffrage.

Participants of the democracy movement responded then by stating: “the path of dialogue has reached a dead end, and we are only left with civil disobedience.” With the aim to fight for universal suffrage, the Occupy Central umbrella movement started Hong Kong people’s struggle with the political establishment of the past five years, “the era of disobedience”. Even though we have not yet succeeded to secure universal suffrage, and despite the political establishment’s numerous attacks, using political terror and legal manoeuvres to suppress the post-umbrella movement opposition, imprisoning our movement’s leaders and depriving Hong Kong people’s rights to participate in the political process, we have not given up our struggle.

Today, Hong Kongers have once again become the focus of the international and global movement for democracy. Our half decade of struggle has set an example to the world.

At our lowest ebb, the Chief Executive Carrie Lam sought to rush through the extradition legislation, to directly break down the hedge between the Hong Kong and Chinese legal systems which safeguards Hong Kong people’s civil rights, threatening our personal freedom and freedom of speech and self-expression, destroying Hong Kong’s “One Country, Two Systems” status and the rule of law. Initially, our resistance was at a low point, but the prison sentences against the 9 leaders of Occupy Central in late April stirred up our spirits to fight back. On 28th April, the Civil Human Rights Front’s anti-extradition rally numerically exceeded the record turnout at the peak of Occupy Central, and many citizens in different sectors of our society launched opposition campaigns against the Extradition Bill. At the same time, pan-democratic legislators risked bans and prohibitions to oppose the unconstitutional measures to bypass Legco procedures to push the Bill through. The combined efforts of legislators and the community resulted in the rally of 1.03 million people on 9th June, setting a new historical record for Hong Kong’s civil disobedience campaign.

However, the political establishment ignored the voice of the people and attempted to force the Bill’s 2nd reading. On 12 June, Hong Kong people surrounded Legco and occupied the Admiralty area and succeeded in preventing Legco from convening. Even though Carrie Lam announced the suspension of the hated Bill, this did not neutralise the determination of over 2 million citizens to take to the streets the following weekend. By this point, the campaign had consolidated and rallied behind the 5 major demands, spreading to many districts and neighbourhoods, with the intertwining of the pacifist and militant wings of the campaign in a rising wave of resistance.

Even though the political establishment still refuses to accede to the 5 demands, but the campaign’s success has prevented the re-introduction of the hated Bill as well as draw international attention on the bravery and determination of Hong Kong’s struggle against Chinese Communist authoritarianism. Hong Kongers should be proud of setting an example to campaigns to defend human rights across the world, and celebrate this moment of immensely united solidarity in our city.

The escalation of political terror is not caused by democracy

We must remember the heavy price that the campaign has already paid up to this point – at least 7 activists had already taken their own lives; over 800 have been arrested and even brutalised by the police, and accused by the authorities of rioting; Many campaigners, journalists, medical personnel and even ordinary bystanders have been injured by the police’s use of tear gas and other potentially lethal weapons; there have been dark forces dressed in white openly attacking citizens indiscriminately in our neighbourhoods. All this political terror is the result of either collusion by the authorities, or the injustices and abuse of powers under our undemocratic system.

We firmly believe that only genuine democracy can safeguard the rule of law and protect human rights and freedoms. Unfortunately, the progress of democracy in Hong Kong is not only stalled but is actually being rolled backwards. Since July, the Hong Kong police have issued objection letters incessantly, to prevent people from exercising the legitimate rights of marching and of assembly. Carrie Lam is actively considering the introduction of emergency powers to totally deny and repress citizens political rights and freedom. This will reduce our city to a military camp, a police state. Yesterday, our appeal against the police’s refusal to permit the 31st August march was unsuccessful. This has made it impossible for Hong Kongers to have a legal march & assembly, a serious deprivation of our right to express our opinions on critical political issues affecting our city.

Resistance is now ongoing, let’s create a candlelight ocean this evening

Faced with this situation, how should Hong Kongers respond? Apart from fearing the political establishment or civil disobedience, what else can we do?

We believe that after 6 months of ongoing resistance, Hong Kongers are now equipped with the wisdom, experience, creativity, determination and resilience, to struggle against the unjust political establishment to the very end. From discussions on the web and in neighbourhoods, we have blended our resistance into our daily lives; our spiritual approach to daily living is not to be browbeaten by any form of oppression and to struggle on.

The Civil Human Rights Front are unable to use a march and assembly to enable us to share and express our common struggle; each of us must be mindful today – no injuries, no shedding of blood and no arrests, so that we can continue the struggle on the path towards democracy and freedom.

We therefore call upon everyone today to: not only use your own means and ability to express your anger and opposition to the National People’s Congress’s denial of universal suffrage as well as the authorities refusal to accede to our 5 demands, but also to take action this evening at 8:31 pm – light up a candle or a torch in your home or in your neighbourhood, to represent our determination and aspiration to strive for the 5 demands and for democracy. Even if the authorities continue to ignore our voices, we must remain strongly united to enable the campaign to continue, and let the world at large see our determination.

Tonight, at 8:31 pm, let the light of democracy shine in every corner of Hong Kong!

Hong Kongers, add oil, Take care !!

Civil Human Rights Front
31 August 2019, 5th anniversary of the NPC’s blocking of universal suffrage for Hong Kong

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