By Hojin Choi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
HONG KONG, China – Monday morning was the deadline that Hong Kong authorities gave to the pro-democracy protesters to clear streets. The number of protesters has dwindled down to a few hundred, and they allowed government workers back to return to their offices after a weeklong occupation of the streets. The workers went to the government complex through a small path that student protesters created.
Even though the protesters have not fully accepted the city’s request to disperse, as they let the government officials back in the building, the police force is trying not to provoke the protesters by keeping a distance.
The situation in Hong Kong seems to be turning into a stalemate. The student leaders of the protesters have different opinions about whether or not they will continue the protest. However, it appears that they at least agreed to strategically arrange the group, allowing the civil servants to enter the government buildings.
Some protesters have remained on the streets, defying the deadline. These protesters have said that they will not disperse unless the government makes a meaningful change and accepts their demands: promoting democracy in Hong Kong.
Schools in Hong Kong also re-opened on Monday. They had been closed since September 29, but students and teachers have resumed their work and study. Interestingly, elementary schools decided to remain closed for safety reasons. During the protest week, 30 to 40 bank branches in Hong Kong had closed, but now the number has been reduced to about seven.
According to the protest organizers, there was a conversation between the protest leaders and the government representatives on Sunday, but they failed to reach an agreement. They decided to continue their talks on Monday hoping to have a conversation with mutual respect.A protester sleeping in front of barricades (Getty Images)
Lester Shum, the Deputy Secretary General for the Students’ Federation, said that the dialogue must be ongoing and the student leaders must be treated equally. He added that actual political reforms in Hong Kong must be derived from the conversation. Those are the conditions for continuing to talk with the government.
The main requests of the protesters are resignation of current Hong Kong Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying, and a democratic election to be held in 2017. Previously, Beijing announced it would appoint only pro-Beijing candidates for the election. Beijing worried about spreading the demand of democracy over to Mainland China since it is also facing similar issues in Tibet and Xinjiang. The Chinese government declared the protest in Hong Kong illegal, but left resolution of the issue to the discretion of the Hong Kong government.
For more information, please see:
The Washington Post – As authorities’ deadline passes, Hong Kong protest turns into stalemate – 5 October 2014
Reuters – WRAPUP 3-Hong Kong democracy protests fade, face test of stamina – 6 October 2014
The Washington Post – Hong Kong protests appear to be headed into a smaller but durable holding pattern – 6 October 2014
The Guardian – Hong Kong protest numbers dwindle as exhaustion sets in – 6 October 2014
