Responding to the arrests of four people for \u201cseditious intention and disorderly conduct\u201d in Hong Kong ahead of the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown, Amnesty International\u2019s interim Deputy Regional Director for Research Montse Ferrer said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Hong Kong government is once again using colonial-era \u2018sedition\u2019 charges to enable its crackdown on freedom of expression as it attempts to stop people commemorating the horrific events of 4 June 1989.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut the fact that Hongkongers continue to mark the Tiananmen crackdown, despite the ever-growing risks, lays bare the futility of the authorities\u2019 attempts to enforce silence and obedience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Hong Kong government\u2019s shameful campaign to stop people marking this anniversary mirrors the censorship of the Chinese central government and is an insult to those killed in the Tiananmen crackdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll those arrested simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression should be immediately released, and the Hong Kong police must refrain from targeting others who try to peacefully mark this important anniversary. Commemorating the Tiananmen crackdown is not a crime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Background<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Eight people were detained near Hong Kong\u2019s Victoria Park on Saturday 3 June for what police described as \u201cdisplaying protest items loaded with seditious wordings, chanting and committing unlawful acts\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two of those detained have since been released, but the four arrested for \u201cseditious intention and disorderly conduct\u201d could face up to two years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those arrested include two people who had held aloft pieces of paper saying, \u201cpersonal commemoration, hunger strike for 8964 3.4 seconds\u201d (referencing the year, date and anniversary of the crackdown) and holding flowers. Another arrested, an artist, had reportedly chanted, \u201cDon\u2019t forget June 4! Hong Kong people, don\u2019t be afraid of them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every year on 4 June since 1990, up to hundreds of thousands of people joined a candlelight vigil in Hong Kong\u2019s Victoria Park to remember those killed during the Tiananmen crackdown. They called on the Chinese authorities to reveal the truth about what happened and take accountability for the fatalities. The vigil was banned in 2020 and 2021, ostensibly on Covid-19 grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year authorities closed parts of Victoria Park citing potential \u201cillegal activities\u201d. This year it was \u201cunavailable\u201d due to the hosting of an outdoor market organized by pro-Beijing groups, including those sponsored by the Chief Executive and former and current members of China\u2019s National People\u2019s Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n