Protests ongoing despite axed bill

HONG Kong leader Carrie Lam has withdrawn the extradition bill that sparked months of demonstrations, bowing to one of the protesters’ demands in the hope of ending the increasingly violent unrest.

But activists rejected Wednesday’s move as insufficient and vowed not to yield until the government accepts other demands including an independent investigation into alleged police brutality against protesters, the unconditional release of those detained and democracy.

The bill would have allowed Hong Kong residents to be sent to mainland China for trials. It has prompted massive protests since June that have disrupted transportation links around the city and at its international airport.

Ms Lam said the government would not accept the other demands, and instead named two new members to a police watchdog agency investigating police misconduct.

“The government will formally withdraw the bill in order to fully allay public concerns,” she said in a recorded television message.

Ms Lam said the persistent violence was damaging the rule of law and that challenges to the “one country, two systems” framework under which the former British colony returned to Chinese control in 1997 had put Hong Kong in a “highly vulnerable” situation.

“Our foremost priority now is to end violence, to safeguard the rule of law,” she added. Ms Lam said it was clear public frustration has gone far beyond the bill and that her government would seek a dialogue with aggrieved groups to address their discontent.

Some lawmakers and activists said the move was too little, too late. A youth activist who identified herself only as Chan and wore a helmet and scarf to shield her identity told a news

DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM AND HUMAN RIGHTS ARE UNIVERSAL VALUES THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING FOR

conference that protesters “would not back down, not even one step” until their other demands were met.

“If Carrie Lam had withdrawn the bill two months ago, that would have been a quick fix but to apply a bandage on to rotten flesh, that simply won’t cut it,” she said.

Prominent youth activist Joshua Wong said the government in Beijing hoped to cool the protests ahead of China’s National Day on October 1.

“I hope the people in China can understand that democracy, freedom and human rights are universal values that Hong Kong people are fighting for,” he said. “We will continue to fight for it.”