Responding to the arrest of 287 people - including three human rights monitors - after police cracked down on a New Year’s Day protest in Hong Kong, Man-Kei Tam, Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong, said:

“On the first day of 2020, the Hong Kong Police authorities showed the world their disdain for the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly by violently dispersing a largely peaceful protest.

“This in effect prevented people from exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The police should facilitate peaceful protest, not restrict or disrupt it.

“The targeting of independent monitors is equally disturbing as they are a vital source of information about any human rights violations during protests, which is essential to ensure full accountability.

“The Hong Kong authorities must carry out a prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigation into the allegations of excessive use of force by law-enforcement agents over the last six months of protests. The Hong Kong Police Force is no longer in a position to investigate itself. Anyone suspected to be responsible should be brought to justice in fair trials.”

New Year’s Day protests

Three of the 287 people arrested during yesterday’s protests were from Civil Rights Observer, a local human rights group. Media quoted police sources saying the “mass arrest” tactics were aimed at “deterring” protesters.

The Hong Kong Police revoked its notice of no objection for the protest three hours after it had started when a small group of protesters vandalised a bank. A hand-thrown tear gas canister was deployed against largely peaceful protesters without warning, prompting some protesters to throw objects and petrol bombs at the police.