This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/24/hong-kong-activists-target-uk-government-with-ad-campaign

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hong Kong activists target UK government with ad campaign Hong Kong activists target UK government with ad campaign
(about 1 hour later)
The British government and MPs are to be the focus of a digital advertising campaign in which Hong Kong pro-democracy activists will plead for UK action to protect rights in the former colony. The British government and MPs are to be the focus of a digital advertising campaign in which Hong Kong pro-democracy activists will plead for the UK to take action to protect rights in the former colony.
A group of activists have paid for adverts that appeared on Wednesday in British media outlets calling on the UK government to impose sanctions on those responsible for what is described as the suppression of human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.A group of activists have paid for adverts that appeared on Wednesday in British media outlets calling on the UK government to impose sanctions on those responsible for what is described as the suppression of human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.
They also call on Britain to include provisions on human rights, civil liberties and democratisation in any post-Brexit agreements with Hong Kong and China.They also call on Britain to include provisions on human rights, civil liberties and democratisation in any post-Brexit agreements with Hong Kong and China.
The adverts accompany a digital campaign featuring images of Margaret Thatcher in Beijing for the signing of the 1984 Sino-British joint declaration that guaranteed freedom of speech, freedom of the press and other rights in Hong Kong.The adverts accompany a digital campaign featuring images of Margaret Thatcher in Beijing for the signing of the 1984 Sino-British joint declaration that guaranteed freedom of speech, freedom of the press and other rights in Hong Kong.
“In 1984, Britain pledged to protect Hong Kong’s freedom. Britain must keep its promises,” say the adverts, which have been taken out by a grouping that is remaining anonymous in the face of fears of retribution by the Chinese government. The campaign has been by funded by £300,000 raised in less than 24 hours in Hong Kong. “In 1984, Britain pledged to protect Hong Kong’s freedom. Britain must keep its promises,” say the adverts, which have been taken out by a grouping that is remaining anonymous in the face of fears of retribution by the Chinese government. The campaign has been by funded by donations, with £300,000 raised in less than 24 hours.
Members of the public are urged to sign a petition, https://standwithhk.org/ Members of the public are being urged to sign a petition. The campaign, launched by what is described as “a group of concerned Hongkongers around the world”, accuses China of consistently breaching the terms of the 1984 agreement. The latest breach, it says, came in the form of the extradition bill that has caused Hong Kong’s largest political crisis in decades.
The campaign, launched by what is described as “a group of concerned Hongkongers around the world”, accuses China of consistently breaching the terms of the 1984 agreement. The latest breach, it says, takes the form of the controversial extradition bill that has caused Hong Kong’s largest political crisis in decades. Protests that have principally targeted the bill, which would allow suspects to be extradited from Hong Kong to mainland China, have taken on new demands, including an investigation into police use of rubber bullets, teargas and physical violence against protesters.
Protests that have principally targeted the bill that would allow suspects to be extradited from Hong Kong to mainland China have taken on new demands, including an investigation into police use of rubber bullets, teargas, and physical violence against protesters.
Protesters this week pledged to stand up to thugs who attacked demonstrators at the weekend as public anger grows towards the government and police.Protesters this week pledged to stand up to thugs who attacked demonstrators at the weekend as public anger grows towards the government and police.
Demonstrators have filed for a permit to hold a rally on Saturday in Yuen Long, the district on the outskirts of Hong Kong where dozens of masked men chased and beat commuters and protesters with wooden poles and metal rods, leaving at least 45 people in hospital. Police arrived after the assailants left.Demonstrators have filed for a permit to hold a rally on Saturday in Yuen Long, the district on the outskirts of Hong Kong where dozens of masked men chased and beat commuters and protesters with wooden poles and metal rods, leaving at least 45 people in hospital. Police arrived after the assailants left.
A Foreign Office minister told the House of Commons on Monday that Britain remained fully committed to upholding Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms under the “one country, two systems” principle.A Foreign Office minister told the House of Commons on Monday that Britain remained fully committed to upholding Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms under the “one country, two systems” principle.
The minister of state, Andrew Murrison, said Britain would be keeping a “close eye” on the police investigation in Hong Kong into the attack in Yuen Long. Andrew Murrison said Britain would be keeping a “close eye” on the police investigation in Hong Kong into the attack in Yuen Long.
“Let me assure the House that the government remain fully committed to upholding Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms under the one country, two systems principle,” he added.
Dr Victor Gao, a former high-ranking Chinese diplomat, told the BBC on Tuesday that allegations that China had a hand in the attacks were groundless, describing allegations as “fake news”.Dr Victor Gao, a former high-ranking Chinese diplomat, told the BBC on Tuesday that allegations that China had a hand in the attacks were groundless, describing allegations as “fake news”.
“At this particular moment let’s give due process more time. However, when rioting on such a large scale happened in Hong Kong no one should indulge in the fantasy that the people on the other side of the equation will wait until they are engulfed in instability,” he added. “At this particular moment let’s give due process more time. However, when rioting on such a large scale happened in Hong Kong no one should indulge in the fantasy that the people on the other side of the equation will wait until they are engulfed in instability,” he said.
“Villagers in Yuen Long … want to make sure that no rioters come to their village and I think let’s wait for the investigation.”“Villagers in Yuen Long … want to make sure that no rioters come to their village and I think let’s wait for the investigation.”
Hong KongHong Kong
Asia PacificAsia Pacific
AdvertisingAdvertising
China
Human rights
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content