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EPA
Joshua Wong (pictured) was one of those who were barred from standing in the election
The United Kingdom and four allies have urged the Hong Kong government to allow eligible opposition candidates to fight delayed parliamentary elections.
The appeal on Sunday was made by the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US.
The ministers said they were “seriously concerned about the unfair disqualification of the Hong Kong government from candidates”.
They condemned a year-long postponement of the September elections as disproportionate.
Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam announced the delay in late July, accusing a rise in coronavirus infections on the ground.
At the moment, the outbreak in Hong Kong appears to be getting worse, but daily cases have been declining since July 30, when a record increase of 149 infections was reported.
Opposition politicians and activists have accused the government of using the coronavirus pandemic as a precaution to stop people from voting.
Hong Kong authorities disqualified 12 pro-democracy candidates from standing in the elections, deepening political tensions.
Opposition activists had hoped to gain a majority in the Legislative Council (LegCo) in the September poll, and capitalized on outrage over Beijing’s imposition of a controversial national security law in Hong Kong.
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Hong Kong, a former British colony, was returned to China in 1997 under an agreement intended to guarantee a high degree of autonomy for 50 years.
But critics say the territories’ freedoms are being eroded.
What did the statement say?
In a joint statement, the five foreign ministers said movements to disqualify candidates and delay elections “have undermined the democratic process that has been fundamental to Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity”.
The ministers, including the UK Dominic Raab, called in the disqualified legislators again.
The security law imposed by China was “eroding the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people,” the minister said.
“We support the legitimate expectations of the people of Hong Kong to elect representatives of the Legislative Council through truly free, honest and credible elections,” she added.
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EPA
Protests against US sanctions imposed on Hong Kong took place on the ground on Saturday
The statement comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and Western governments, with the freedoms of Hong Kong one of many problems causing.
On Friday, the U.S. imposed sanctions on a group of Chinese and Hong Kong officials – including Mayor Ms Lam – who were involved in enforcing the security law.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration moved to ban U.S. transactions with the Chinese owners of the WeChat and TikTok apps.
More about Hong Kong security law:
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