Hong Kong Watch stands in solidarity with Hong Kongers commemorating the fifth anniversary of the ‘612 incident’

Hong Kong Watch stands in solidarity with Hong Kongers around the world in commemorating the fifth anniversary of the 2019 anti-extradition law protests in Hong Kong, and especially the demonstrations outside the Hong Kong Legislative Council on 12 June 2019, referred to as the ‘612 incident’. The 612 incident involved the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) using the first rubber bullets and tear gas against peaceful pro-democracy protesters.

According to Amnesty International, between 12 June 2019 and 29 February 2020, the HKPF fired a total of 19 rounds of live ammunition, 16,191 rounds of tear gas, 10,100 rounds of rubber bullets, 2,033 beanbag rounds and 1,880 rounds of sponge bullets at protesters, which led to serious eye injuries on at least three occasions. Police were routinely seen hitting protesters’ heads with batons, kicking and stomping on heads and limbs with heavy-duty riot gear, and kneeling on protesters and non-protesters who were in no way resisting or capable of resisting.

Benedict Rogers, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Watch, commemorated the anniversary alongside hundreds of Hong Kongers in protest outside the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London on Sunday.

Benedict Rogers said: 

“In 2019, 12 June was a key turning point for the protest movement against the proposed extradition law. On this day, peaceful protesters were met with unacceptable and horrific acts of police brutality that violate human rights and Hong Kong’s obligations under international law.

We pay tribute to the courageous protesters who risked their lives and futures to defend the values of freedom, the rule of law, and the autonomy which Beijing promised to Hong Kong in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

With heavy hearts, we reflect on the ongoing dismantling of Hong Kong’s freedoms and autonomy on this fifth anniversary of the 612 incident. It is vital that we continue not only to remember the transformation of Hong Kong from an open society to a police state, but to inform the international community of the dangers of doing business as usual in Hong Kong. 

In particular, governments around the world should shine a spotlight on the risks of operating in Hong Kong, and on the hundreds of political prisoners who remain behind bars in the city. The rest of us should do the same, and use our voices in solidarity with those in Hong Kong who have been silenced and those in the diaspora who live in fear around the uncertainty of the draconian National Security Law and Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

We will always remember, and continue to fight for a brighter future in the city we know and love, and that so many call home.”

「反送中」運動五週年｜香港監察與港人並肩同行 紀念「612事件」五週年

香港監察與世界各地的香港人並肩同行，一起紀念2019年香港「反送中」抗爭運動五週年，特別是2019年6月12日香港立法會外的示威，亦即「612事件」。香港警察當日首次對和平示威者發射橡膠子彈和催淚彈。

星期日（6月9日），香港監察共同創辦人兼行政總監羅傑斯（Benedict Rogers）參與在香港駐倫敦經濟貿易辦事處外舉行的集會，與數百名港人一起紀念運動五週年。

羅傑斯表示：

「2019年6月12日是反對修訂《逃犯條例》抗爭運動的關鍵轉捩點。當日，和平示威者遭到不能容忍且極其可怕的警暴，那些行為有違人權及香港在國際法下的義務。

我們向勇敢的抗爭者致敬，他們冒着生命危險及押上自己的未來，捍衛北京在《中英聯合聲明》向香港承諾的自由、法治和自治價值。

時值612事件五週年，我們懷着沉重的心情反思香港自由與自治持續受到的摧毀。我們不但要繼續銘記香港從開放社會變成警察城市的事實，而且要繼續告知國際社會在香港如常經商的危險，這極其重要。

世界各國政府尤其應該關注在香港營商的風險，以及數百名仍在香港坐監的政治犯。其餘的人也應該這樣做，並運用我們的聲音聲援已被噤聲的在港港人，以及因《國家安全法》和《維護國家安全條例》苛法的不確定因素而活在恐懼中的海外港人。

我們會永遠銘記在心，並繼續為這座我們熟悉熱愛且許多人稱之為家的城市爭取更光明的未來。」