Hong Kong cops ‘just too brutal’

Amnesty International yesterday accused Hong Kong police of using excessive force against pro-democracy protesters, in some cases amounting to torture, criticising a “disturbing pattern of reckless and unlawful tactics”.

In a report based on interviews with nearly two dozen activists, most of whom were hospitalised after their arrests, the global rights watchdog said the city’s police officers routinely went beyond the level of force allowed by local law and international standards.

“In an apparent thirst for retaliation, Hong Kong’s security forces have engaged in a disturbing pattern of reckless and unlawful tactics against people during the protests,” Nicholas Bequelin, East Asia director at Amnesty International, said.

“This has included arbitrary arrests and retaliatory violence against arrested persons in custody, some of which has amounted to torture.”

The rights group backed calls for an independent inquiry into police brutality – a key demand of protesters but one that has been rejected by government officials and police top brass.

Hong Kong’s police dismissed Amnesty’s findings and rejected allegations it had used excessive force. In a statement issued yesterday, police said their officers “exercise a high level of restraint at all times in the use of force”.

In response to specific allegations in the report, police said they “do not comment on individual cases” and said those alleging abuse should make a complaint with their watchdog instead.

Violent demonstrations featuring hundreds of thousands of protesters have raged in Hong Kong for more than three months.

Antigovernment protesters have hurled rocks, bottles and petrol bombs, as well as used slingshots, in their battles with police, who have responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. – AFP