The first demonstration in about two years against a measure by the Hong Kong government took place on Sunday under strict conditions, such as limiting the number of participants and the compulsory wearing of an identification badge.
Beijing imposed a national security law in the Chinese metropolis in 2020 to end pro-democracy protests that rocked Hong Kong and silence dissent.
Few public protests have since taken place against local government policy due to the crackdown and social distancing measures against Covid-19.
The purpose of the demonstration on Sunday was to oppose a landfill project in the east of the territory. It is the first to have obtained official authorization since the lifting of health measures.
The police, however, forced the organizers to respect draconian conditions: among them, the limitation of the number of participants to 100 people and the wearing of a numbered identification badge.
The police surrounded the crowd with a cordon and separated journalists and protesters.
Officers scanned banners and signs for “politically sensitive and seditious words”, said Cyrus Chan, who was organizing the protest.
“Ridiculous” terms, said one of the 80 or so participants.
“It’s bullying… but what can we do?” the retired civil servant, who wished to remain anonymous, told AFP.
“Today, even the simple act of taking a breath of fresh air can threaten national security.”
Asked by AFP about these modalities, the police said they carry out a “thorough” assessment of the risks associated with public events based on their “motive, nature, number of participants, past experience and recent events. “.
Eric Lai, of the Center for Asian Law at Georgetown University, described to AFP as “disproportionate” the counting and identification of demonstrators, unprecedented according to him during previous demonstrations authorized by the Hong Kong police.
Large-scale public events – from music festivals to art fairs – have taken place in Hong Kong since the lifting of sanitary measures. Local authorities ensure that residents still enjoy freedom of expression and assembly.
In March, a women’s rights group called off a protest – which would have been Hong Kong’s first civil rights protest in years – after the organizers were repeatedly summoned by the police.
26/03/2023 12:08:55 – Hong Kong (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
