STATEMENT: UK Government 6-monthly calls for ‘credible political track’ to protect rights and freedoms, but fails to adequately address urgency of police brutality

Hong Kong Watch is concerned that the latest UK Government six-monthly report on the situation in Hong Kong fails to adequately address police brutality by the Hong Kong Police Force, or call for an independent judge-led inquiry into police brutality. This type of inquiry, which has been proposed by prominent figures from across Hong Kong, including former Chief Justice Andrew Li, is widely seen by protestors to be a necessary step if there is to be any deescalation. It is therefore disappointing that the current UK Foreign Secretary has reneged on his predecessor's call for such an inquiry.

There are positive dimensions of the report, which is comprehensive in its accounts of events from January, particularly addressing concerns about the extradition bill. The report also highlights the many important statements and diplomatic actions taken by the UK in the reporting period. Furthermore the Foreign Secretary's conclusion rightly calls for a “credible political track to protect rights and freedoms”. He says:

"As I have made clear in my conversations with both State Councillor Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, and Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, we must look ahead to the path towards de-escalation and political resolution. Protesters must end the violence. The police response must be proportionate in their handling of protesters and safeguard the right to peaceful protest. And there must be a meaningful dialogue between all parties, with a credible political track to protect the rights and freedoms set out in Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which reflects and respects China’s avowed “One Country, Two Systems”. Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, and rule of law is what guarantees its future prosperity and success. It is incumbent on all sides to respect it."

However, the Foreign Secretary stops short of calling for an independent judge led inquiry into police brutality. This is disappointing, firstly because this demand is eminently reasonable, widely supported and a necessary step if there is to be deescalation; and secondly, given the fact that the former Foreign Secretary made this call.

Furthermore, only one paragraph of the report is given to the events of June 12, referring to "clashes", but not reflecting the disproportionate and unnecessary use of force by the police against peaceful demonstrators. The events of June 12 were the spark which led to 2-million people marching in the streets, and the codification of the 5 demands of the protestors. The reason for this was that the indiscriminate, brutal and disproportionate police violence rightly horrified large swathes of the Hong Kong public. Amnesty International verified scores of incidents where the police used excessive force. The six-monthly report’s failure to condemn the brutality of the police in this event is a glaring omission, particularly given the role that the police's actions subsequently played in stirring further protest. It is vital that the next six-monthly report takes a stronger line in condemning disproportionate and indiscriminate violence by the police.