US Secretary of State Condemns Arrest of Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists
Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, condemned the arrest of a group of pro-democracy activists by authorities in Hong Kong, describing the action as “blatant abuse of police for political purposes.”
Mr. Pompeo said on Monday in a statement published on the US State Department website that “harassment and intimidation” of pro-democracy representatives and suppressing grievances are “clear examples of the ongoing collusion between the Hong Kong government and the Chinese Communist Party,” which he said is “aimed at dismantling Hong Kong’s promised autonomy.”
The US Secretary of State called on Beijing and Hong Kong to respect the rights of Hong Kong residents to voice their complaints.
On Sunday, seven people, including several current and former Hong Kong lawmakers, were arrested.
The Hong Kong Police confirmed that these arrests were related to a scuffle that occurred in early 2021 in the city’s legislative body between pro-democracy lawmakers and supporters of Beijing.
In a statement by the Hong Kong Police, it was noted that six men and one woman were arrested in connection with suspected contempt and interference with the activities of members of the legislative body.
On the same day, activists at a separate press conference called the arrests “futile” and “completely unacceptable.” They said the Hong Kong government “has fabricated false pretexts and is silencing the voices of opponents using baseless accusations.”
The New York Times reported in a separate report on the arrest of another pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong. As a result, the number of those arrested reached eight.
Source: Voice of America
