appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

SCMP Editorial

Freedom of association, assembly, procession and demonstration is protected by Hong Kong law and has been widely exercised since the city’s return to Chinese rule in 1997.
Some mass gatherings drew hundreds of thousands of people. But most demonstrations were smaller scale. They covered a wide range of causes across the political spectrum, and the overwhelming majority were peaceful, lawful and orderly.
The right to protest, however, was abused during civil unrest in 2019, when anti-government demonstrations turned violent and the city’s streets became battlegrounds. The disturbances lasted months.
They ended the following year when the passing of a national security law imposed by China’s top legislature raised concerns about legal risks.
Social-distancing rules intended to combat Covid-19 prohibited even small public gatherings and further dampened enthusiasm for protests. There have been hardly any demonstrations since.
Will Hong Kong’s June 4 memories fade or can overseas events carry the torch?
But now that the ban on gatherings has been lifted and Hong Kong seeks to get back to normal, legitimate, peaceful protests should be allowed.
The authorities are, understandably, concerned about any repeat of the violence of 2019. That would not be tolerated. The government, however, has a duty to facilitate lawful demonstrations.
A march to support International Women’s Day, planned for March 5, was one of the first to be authorised by police. But the organisers made the “very difficult” decision to cancel it.
The force had raised concerns that violent groups would participate, but the full details are not known.
Generally speaking, organisers of gatherings must ensure, so far as is reasonably possible, their events proceed safely and lawfully. The authorities, meanwhile, should strive to ensure appropriate arrangements are put in place and that legal requirements are clear so organisers can proceed in confidence.
Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of Hong Kong society, protected by the Basic Law and national security law. They provide a platform for expression of opinion and alert officials to community concerns.
Hong Kong does not need to be a “city of protest”, but peaceful demonstrations are a feature of life that should return as the city opens up and seeks to rebuild its international image.


Hong Kong workforce to shrink by 20,000 yearly as key sectors face shortages

Committee to investigate Hong Kong district councillor’s sex crime conviction

John Lee appoints Kelvin Kong head of police’s National Security Department

President Xi Jinping calls on China, US youth to advance bilateral cooperation

Hong Kong politics

Peaceful protest is the fabric of Hong Kong society

Police officers stand guard where a cancelled march for women’s rights was scheduled to take place in Hong Kong on March 5. Photo: AP

Hong Kong women’s rights group breaks silence over ‘difficult’ decision to call off rally, says it could not satisfy police demands

Police officers in Wan Chai. Photo: Sam Tsang

Police officers in Wan Chai, the proposed starting point for the women’s rights event which was called off on Saturday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Incitement conviction for Tiananmen Square commemoration activist quashed by Hong Kong judge

Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China’s vice-chairwoman  Chow Hang-tung (yellow mask) at a press conference at the group’s office at Ngai Wong Commercial Building, Mong Kok, last year. Photo: Sam Tsang

The High Court in Admiralty. Photo: Warton Li

Chow Hang-tung called on people in 2021 to assemble at Victoria Park to mark the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Photo: May Tse

If Hong Kong is truly back to normal, it should be able to host peaceful rallies

Police officers stand guard near Wan Chai MTR station on March 5. The Hong Kong Women Workers’ Association called off what would have been the first authorised rally in Hong Kong in three years, although the reason for the cancellation is unclear. Photo: Sam Tsang

Protesters gather at Place de la Republique during a rally called by French trade unions in Paris on January 19. Photo: AFP

Beijing and Hong Kong governments slam ‘irresponsible’ remarks by EU on jailing of 3 from Tiananmen Square vigil group for refusal to help police probe

Chow Hang-tung was jailed for refusing to help police in their investigation. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Nabila Massrali, the EU’s spokeswoman for foreign affairs. Photo: Handout

Tsui Hon-kwong (left) and Tang Ngok-kwan. Photo: Dickson Lee

Opinion

Lawful demonstrations are a feature of life that should return as Hong Kong opens up and seeks to rebuild its international image


Lawful demonstrations are a feature of life that should return as Hong Kong opens up and seeks to rebuild its international image.


Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong Basic Law

Hong Kong national security law (NSL)

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong

June 4 vigil in Hong Kong

Human rights

Hong Kong social distancing

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial

Peaceful protest is the fabric of Hong Kong society

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Lawful demonstrations are a feature of life that should return as Hong Kong opens up and seeks to rebuild its international image

Lawful demonstrations are a feature of life that should return as Hong Kong opens up and seeks to rebuild its international image