ADN Condemns the Violent Crackdown of Pro-Democracy Protestors
September 29, 2014
ADN Condemns the Violent Crackdown of Pro-Democracy Protestors
The Asia Democracy Network (ADN) condemns the violent crackdown on the peaceful pro- democracy protesters. We condemn the suppression of freedom of speech and assembly in Hong Kong and call on the protection of the basic rights of free speech, assembly, religion and free press guaranteed by the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s local constitution.
ADN urges for the process of free and fair elections to be maintained and guaranteed. With the masses in peaceful protest responding to the decision of a highly controlled election process in Hong Kong, already 40 have been injured due to excessive force (tear gas) used by law enforcement agents. It is highly urged that the rights of the peaceful protesters are protected and the principles of democracy upheld.
The freedom of press and speech has been highly compromised in Hong Kong. The usage of social networking services has been strongly restricted in Hong Kong upon the start of the protests. The freedom of speech and press is a fundamental value of human rights that should not be compromised. ADN urges for the restoration of platforms of speech and press.
In bringing justice and democracy to Hong Kong the ADN calls on the HK government to:
- 1. Stop the suppression of free assembly and speech,
- 2. Protect the basic human rights of the protesters,
- 3. Immediately release those arrested and detained,
- 4. Stop to all use of excessive force to suppress assembly and speech,
- 5. Universal suffrage should be guaranteed and free and fair elections implemented.
Importantly, we pay tribute to those on the streets peacefully protesting to protect their democratic values and to further democracy in Asia. The Asia Democracy Network aims to advocate and promote democracy in Asia through solidarity and collaboration. In this spirit, ADN supports and stands with those fighting for democracy in Hong Kong.
In Solidarity,
Hyung-sik Shin
ADN Secretary-General
ADN Co-Conveners:
Ms. Nimalka Fernando
Ms. Melinda De Jesus
Mr. Anselmo Lee
Steering Committee Members:
Mr. Ichal SUPRIADI, Executive Director / ANFREL
Mr. Rohana HETTIARACHCHIE, Executive Director / PAFFREL
Ms. Evelyn BELAIS-SERRANO, Executive Director / FORUM-ASIA
Mr. John LIU, East Asia Programme Director / FORUM-ASIA
Mr. Soeung SAROEUN, Board Member / TI-Asia
Ms. Ming-Huei CHENG, Vice Executive Director / TI-Taiwan
Ms. Nirmala SHARMA, Vice President / South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA)
Mr. Sugeng BAHAGIJO, Director/ International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID) Member, Asia Development Alliance (ADA)
Mr. Harsh JAITLI, Chief Executive Officer / VANI / Member Asia Development Alliance (ADA)
Mr. Augusto MICLAT, Executive Director / IID / Member / Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC-SEA)
Mr. Tatsuya YOSHIOKA, Director / Peace Boat / Member of GPPAC-NEA
Ms. Sook Jong LEE, President / East Asia Institute (EAI) / Member Asia Democracy Research Network (ADRN)
Mr. Kaustuv BANDYOPADHYAY, Director / Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA)/ Member Asia Democracy Research Network (ADRN)
Mr. Netra TIMSINA, South Asia Regional Coordinator / People’s SAARC
Ms. Consuelo Katrina A. LOPA, Regional Coordinator / Southeast Asian Committee for Advocacy (SEACA)
Mr. William GOIS, Chair / SEACA
Mr. Cheng-Hao PAO, Director of International Cooperation / TFD
ADN Condemns Crackdown of ProDemocracy Protestors (PDF of Statement)
