Hong Kong: People may be charged for questioning China’s one-party rule

 27th April 2018

A pro-democracy protester holds a portrait of Li Wenzu, the wife of a detained human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, during a demonstration in Hong Kong, China April 10, 2018. Picture taken April 10 2018. Source: rueters/Venus Wu

HONG KONG’S Chief Executive has said she cannot guarantee people will not be prosecuted in future for calling for the end of one-party rule in mainland China.

During a meeting of Hong Kong’s Executive Council on Tuesday, Carrie Lam said that people criticising one-party rule in China would be dealt with in accordance to the law and that she could not rule out that there would be prosecutions, reported RTHK.

“I cannot give a solid promise or answer on the consequences for chanting the slogan. Every matter in Hong Kong should be dealt with in accordance with the law,” said Lam as quoted by Hong Kong Free Press.

Hong Kong has been governed under a “one country, two systems” formula since its return from British to Chinese rule in 1997, allowing freedoms not enjoyed on mainland China that include an independent judiciary.

SEE ALSO: How Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement was crushed and activists silenced

Damon Pang‏ @damon_pang

On whether those shouting "end of one party rule" can stand in future #HongKong elections, #Beijing Liaison Office director Wang Zhimin: I heard that on my way in, that's not a fact, no where in Chinese constitution says 1 party rule, it's a "people's democracy" in #China

Damon Pang‏ @damon_pang Apr 23

The particular question on 1 Party rule was asked by a Ta Kung Pao politics reporter, who seldom appears in #Legco to cover regular meetings nowadays. A source told me the journalist was here specifically to ask this Q to Wang

Pro-democracy campaigners in regularly call for an end to “one-party dictatorship” in China.

“Director Wang Zhimin is much more familiar with the constitution compared to me, so he has made his response yesterday,” Lam said, referring to the head of Hong Kong’s China Liaison Office.

“Is ‘one-party dictatorship’ correct? Director Wang said that there is no such statement in the constitution.”

Tens of thousands of Hong Kongers marched in protest against Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Hong Kong last July, during which he oversaw the swearing-in of Lam.