FORUM-ASIA demands the immediate launch of independent investigations into the human rights violations by the Hong Kong police during the protests at the WTO meeting in December 2005. These include the abuse of detainees, not providing interpretation facilities, use of excessive force etc. The mass restriction of movement amounting to de facto detention and exposing them to the cold winter weather on the night of 17 December should also be investigated. Those responsible must be held accountable.FORUM-ASIA demands the immediate launch of independent investigations into the human rights violations by the Hong Kong police during the protests at the WTO meeting in December 2005. These include the abuse of detainees, not providing interpretation facilities, use of excessive force etc. The mass restriction of movement amounting to de facto detention and exposing them to the cold winter weather on the night of 17 December should also be investigated. Those responsible must be held accountable.

We welcome the exoneration of 11 of the 14 activists charged with unlawful assembly during the hearing in Hong Kong on Wednesday, 11 January, and allowing the other three persons still charged to go back to their home country on bail.

However we emphasize again that the protestors had been exercising their legitimate right to voice the concerns of their community about the negative impact of WTO policies on their livelihoods. In the absence of opportunities for dialogue with policy-makers, these people are forced to take to the streets.

The solidarity expressed by civil society groups in Hong Kong, as well as in other countries all over world, has undoubtedly compelled the Hong Kong authorities to reconsider the unjust charges levelled against these activists without supporting evidence.

The 11 people who have been declared innocent by the courts were held in detention for a week. Ten of them were denied their livelihoods by being forced to stay in Hong Kong for more than three weeks. They were also prevented them from joining their families during Christmas and New Year.

In the face of this flagrant injustice, we condemn the continuing charges against the three others who had already been victimized by their detention in Hong Kong. We call on the Hong Kong authorities to drop the charges against them immediately.

Are authorities willing to respect freedom of expression and assembly, as outlined in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and various international human rights standards? Or will the police and other security forces serve as the unintended paramilitary wing of the WTO and other international financial institutions?

The Hong Kong debacle should be a lesson for the future. As the WTO continues to ignore the voices of peasants, workers and other poor people, there is bound to be more resistance on the streets.

Anselmo Lee
Executive Director

For further details, please contact Ruki Fernando (66-4-0991538 / [email protected]), Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Program Coordinator.