Hong Kong: Organizers of the June 4 vigil to disband due to the crackdown

In face of escalating government repression, a Hong Kong pro-democracy group that used to organise annual June 4 vigils for victims of 1989 Tiananmen Square event has decided to disband. According to a report by NHK World, Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Chinese Patriotic Democratic Movements me decision at an emergency meeting on Saturday.

As a symbol of Hong Kong's lasting liberties, group holds a candlelight vigil. alliance was formed in 1989, shortly before Tiananmen Square incident, to show support for student demonstrators. When People's Liberation Army was dispatched to crackdown on protests in Beijing in 1989, hundreds of people perished and Tiananmen Square massacre sent shockwaves around world. Hundreds of Hong Kong politicians signed petitions or issued public remarks condemning incident.

Last year and this year, group was barred from conducting June 4 vigil

However, many have climbed up  political lder as pro-Beijing personalities or assumed government jobs over years, keeping ir mouths shut about China's political scar. Communist Party has yet to account for occurrence and any discussion of it on mainland is suppressed. Last year and this year, group was barred from conducting its tritional June 4 vigil. Leers of Alliance, like Lee Cheuk-yan, have been imprisoned for holding demonstrations without permission.

According to NHK World on September 9, police charged group and three of its senior members including Lee with encouraging subversion in violation of Hong Kong's national security statute. For taking part in unlawful candlelight vigil in 2020, which was first time it was outlawed under COVID-19 social garing regulations, a total of 16 democrats and activists have been convicted to prison or given suspended sentences.

Hong Kong government is targeting civil society organisations

Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Director, Yamini Mishra, earlier said in an email statement that alliance's "essentially forced disbandment" proved that Chinese authorities were attempting to control all discussion of crackdown in Hong Kong, as y do on mainland. She said that it is apparent that Hong Kong government is targeting civil society organisations with bro backing and potential to mobilise. She ded that  government's crackdown on such groups appears to be on rise.

(Inputs from ANI/ AP News)

Im: AP