Unstable Freedom in Hong Kong after Police Prepares to Charge the Leader of “Umbrella Revolution”

29 March 2017

Hong Kong Police is preparing to charge several activists in the “Umbrella Revolution” in 2014. Amnesty is concerned about the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly which is unstable.

Amnesty International has found that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Hong Kong is being threatened after the police submitted the summon warrant to several leaders of the “Umbrella Revolution” in order to claim for democracy in 2014 to report to the police for charges. 

This report was made one day after Carrie Lam was appointed the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by 1,200 members of the board of directors elected by the Chinese government. The activists who had been notified that they would be charged include university students, lecturers and Hong Kong legislators who participated in the revolution.

Marbel O, Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong stated, “Threatening important activists in the Umbrella Revolution reflects regression of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Hong Kong. Such action is a threat to the strong freedom in Hong Kong, and it shall intensity the political situation.”

Mabel also observed that this charge against the activists may be politically motivated, as the assembly claiming for democracy took place several years ago, but the charge had been filed during the time when Carrie Lam was appointed the Chief Executive.