InfoSearched
Published -
- July 29, 2019
- 9:15 am
Hong Kong police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at anti-government protesters.
It was a second consecutive night of violence after they defied an official ban and marched through the territory’s central shopping district, blocking roads and throwing projectiles.
How have the Hong Kong police responded to the protests and what has been the reaction from human rights organizations and foreign governments?
On Sunday, Hong Kong police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds of protesters who had gathered in the streets to protest against a controversial extradition bill. The bill, which would allow Hong Kong citizens to be extradited to mainland China for trial, has been met with opposition and outrage from citizens and activists who fear it would undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy and judicial independence.
The use of rubber bullets marks a significant escalation in the police’s response to the protests, which have grown increasingly violent in recent weeks. Images circulated on social media showed protesters being struck by rubber bullets and beaten with batons as they tried to flee the scene. The police have defended their use of force, saying that the protesters had become increasingly aggressive and had begun throwing objects at the officers.
The incident has been widely condemned by human rights organizations and foreign governments, who have criticized the police for their heavy-handed tactics. Many have called for an independent investigation into the use of force and have expressed concern about the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong government has been facing mounting pressure from citizens and activists to withdraw the extradition bill. Last week, Chief Executive Carrie Lam apologized for the handling of the bill and suspended it indefinitely, but this has done little to calm the unrest. Protesters are calling for Lam’s resignation and for the bill to be formally withdrawn.
The situation in Hong Kong is becoming increasingly tense, as protesters and police clash on the streets and the government struggles to respond to the demands of its citizens. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve in the coming weeks and whether a peaceful resolution can be reached. For now, the use of rubber bullets by the police is a worrying development that highlights the urgent need for a peaceful and constructive dialogue between all parties involved.
