With
regards to the protest by the Hong Kong‘s
pro-democracy movement against the extradition bill which effectively authorizes
the Hong Kong government to facilitate
the extradition of any criminal suspects
to China for trial, We, the undersigned organizations
or individuals are of the view that:
1.) The extradition bill would allow the Hong Kong government to detain
and
extradite anyone from countries
which Hong Kong has no formal extradition
treaty with –
this includes Mainland China,
Macau and
Taiwan.
We
are worried that if the
extradition bill were passed, it would be utilized instead to extradite any dissidents - whom
are critical against
the government, the Communist Party of China
- for trial in China. Hong Kong people‘s fear and
concern are entirely legitimate
and justifiable given
the previous examples of mysterious and
illegal extradition of the shareholder
of Causeway Bay Books Michael
Gui and former police officer
turned
human rights activist, Dong Guangping to China. Furthermore,
the illegal detention of the Taiwanese NGO worker, Lee Ming-Cheh and other
human rights abuses also does not convince the people
of Hong Kong of
their
personal security if
the
extradition bill is passed.
2.) Therefore, it is within the right of the Hong Kong people
to demonstrate their dissatisfaction
against the Hong Kong government‘s insistence of
passing the bill. And it could be further
argued that the
Hong Kong people are merely affirming the constitutional
principle of ―one country, two systems‖
since the potential implication of the aforementioned bill would see the
China government impinging on Hong Kong‘s
judicial system. This is why it is rather disappointing for the Chief Executive
of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam
and the Hong Kong police forces to call out protesters and label the protest as an ‗organised riot‘. We believe that such
hasty, unwise and unilateral labelling is
a reminiscence of the April 26 Editorial
published in People‘s Daily during the
height of Tiananmen Square protest
which defined the latter as
a destabilizing revolt. We believe that
such labelling would
only intensify the conflict
and does not help in seeking reconciliation
and compromise
from both parties.
3.) Similarly,
Malaysians also
had its fair share of
tear gases and
water canon
during
peaceful protests
under the administration of
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah Badawi
and Najib Razak even though the right
to assembly is enshrined
under
our federal
constitution. Nevertheless,
we are deeply touched and heartened when Hong Kong People
had consistently shown support and solidarity during the few BERSIH
demonstrations which we Malaysians were protesting
for a clean
and
fair election. Yet,
our historic change of government
during the 9th of May 2018
has not yielded
the progressive change we are hoping
for. Since then, the new government
led by Mahathir has
not abolished nor amended any draconian and
archaic
laws that were used by the
previous
oppressive regime to
silence Malaysia political
dissidents. This is precisely why we can‘t help
but empathize deeply with
millions of patriotic Hong Kong people
marching on the streets in Hong Kong to
defend
their human rights, and we also strongly condemn the
police for retaliating against
most peaceful protesters with
an act of brute force.
4.) We further suggest
that the extradition
bill must be amended and safeguard must
be incorporated to prevent
any human rights abuses. Any extradition of criminal suspects in Hong Kong must first be treated
fairly, subject to basic human rights and
most importantly,
any extradition
must also go through the judiciary system of Hong Kong.
5.) In view of the
number of people attending the demonstration,
the Hong Kong government should immediately withdraw the
controversial extradition
bill indefinitely. It is imperative that
any future extradition
bill of the similar ilk must adhere to
the principle of
‗one country, two systems‘ and the freedom it subsequently entails
which was promised by
the China government to the
Hong Kong people
during 1997.
Endorsement / 聯署
Organisation / 團體:
群議社 Agora Society
業餘者 Amateur
當今峇南 Baramkini
學樂書苑 Happy Learning Books
之間文化實驗室 In Between Cultura
柔南黄色行动小组 Johor Yellow Flame
Malaysia Christian for Justice
净选盟母亲团 Mama Bersih
雪隆社区关怀协会 Per. Komuniti Prihatin Sel &KL
共思社 Ruang Kongsi
Individual / 個人:
曾穎謙 Chan Ying Qian
曾慧玲 Cheng Fui Lien
周小芳 Chew Siew Fong
Chong Yee Chin
張玉珊 Chong Yee Shan
朱进佳 Choo Chon Kai
廖偉翰 David Liew
王慧仪 Heng Hui Yi
许中志 Khow Tong Chee
李成钢 Lee Chen Kang
李惠森 Lee Fui Shen
廖诗弦 Liow Sze Xian
廖永立 Liow Yeong Lih
黄诗颢 Ng Shy Huh
Ng Yi Qi
王振威 Sherab Wong
苏淑桦 Soh Sook Hwa
陳衫豪 Tan Chin How
卓振宏 Toh Chin Hong
邓婉晴 Tung Wan Qing
侯雯詩 Vincy How
黃漢初 Wong Han Choo
葉秀晴 Yip Sau Kam
* Agora Society Malaysia is a loose network of individuals who believe in the principles of
democracy and good governance. More information please visit http://agoramalaysia.blogspot.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/agora.msia
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