On the anniversary of the bloody crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in China today, police in Hong Kong arrested several activists trying to commemorate the dark chapter of Chinese history.
On the anniversary of the bloody crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in China today, police in Hong Kong arrested several activists trying to commemorate the dark chapter of Chinese history.
According to the police, eight people were arrested on Saturday alone for “seditious actions” or disruption of public order. Public commemoration was not allowed in the Chinese Special Administrative Region. The police warned of “illegal actions”.
As of 2019, tens of thousands had still gathered in Hong Kong for a candlelight service on the anniversary to commemorate the victims of the June 4, 1989 massacre. But the leadership in Beijing has tightened its control over the former British crown colony, which has actually been administered autonomously since it was returned to China in 1997. The opposition has been persecuted since 2020 with vaguely formulated security laws that open up far-reaching scope for repression.
In the People’s Republic, a public commemoration of the victims has never been allowed anyway. Rather, civil rights activists and relatives were often placed under house arrest or taken to other locations. Ahead of the anniversary, the “Mothers of Tian’anmen” – an association of the families of the victims – issued an appeal demanding that they learn the truth about the military operation, receive compensation and that those responsible be held accountable.
Hundreds of people were killed when the People’s Liberation Army used violence against peaceful demonstrators around Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The exact number is not known to this day. Thousands were injured and imprisoned. The massacre is still a taboo subject in China 34 years later.
Taiwan’s government called on the Chinese Communist Party to reflect on the lessons of cracking down on the pro-democracy movement. President Tsai Ing-wen expressed hope that one day young people in China will be free to speak their minds without fear. A memorial service was planned for Sunday evening in Taipei, the capital of the democratic island republic.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
