News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

HOng-Kong-Protests-Main_article_image.jpg
PA
World News

Hong Kong: Christian activist warns of threat to religious freedom as protests escalate

A number of protesters have been arrested while trying to run from a Hong Kong university campus surrounded by police.

Officers used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to fight off protesters as they tried to break through a cordon that is trapping hundreds on a university campus.

Some campaigners have thrown petrol bombs and fired arrows at officers.

The violence is some of the worst seen in the territory since anti-government demonstrations began almost six months ago.

The protests started over a controversial extradition bill, and have now evolved into broader anti-government demonstrations.

Co-founder and chair of human rights charity Hong Kong Watch, Ben Rogers told Premier the Hong Kong government is to blame for the escalating violence and called for it to "address the grievances and the demands of the protesters".

"We of course, condemn acts of violence by the students, but we also have to understand that has been as a result of the desperation and frustration.

"It's worth remembering that the violence really was started by the police. The protests were entirely peaceful some months ago."

"The government need to hold an independent inquiry into police brutality, an inquiry that holds the police accountable for horrific violence that they have carried out, but also to set out a plan for political reform for universal suffrage for democracy."

"If they don't do that, the only way it's going to end is I fear is with an even more severe and bloody crackdown," he added.

The former Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow and former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, issued an appeal to Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Sunday, urging her to order the Hong Kong Police Force to show restraint in its response to protests at Hong Kong's Polytechnic University.

China's ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming has warned against foreign countries, including Britain, interfering in Hong Kong's affairs.

Rogers says the international community are obligated to intervene in "any major human rights crisis and to speak out for the universal values of human rights."

He added: "Britain in particular has not just a moral responsibility because of our history with Hong Kong but also a legal responsibility under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, to which we're a signatory.

"We have a responsibility to monitor the situation and to speak out for the promises that were made to the people of Hong Kong."

Rogers expressed concern for the potential implications the conflict could have on religious rights in Hong Kong and urged Christians to pray.

"It's important to remember that if general freedoms in Hong Kong are further eroded, sooner or later religious freedom will be affected.

"If Hong Kong's way of life is dismantled, then the church will be directly affected in that way, and so pray specifically for the church at this time in Hong Kong.

"Pray for an end to violence on both sides and pray for a peaceful political solution to this crisis."

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate