In Beijing’s name, four pro-democracy politicians ousted from parliament
This morning the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in Beijing issued a resolution applying the new security law to Hong Kong MPs as well. The four are: Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung. "Today, One Country, Two Systems no longer exists".
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Four pro-democracy politicians have been ousted from the Legco (the Hong Kong parliament). The announcement was made this morning by the local government, immediately after the go-ahead given in Beijing by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
With immediate effect, Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung lost their seats at the Legco.
This morning the Standing Committee in Beijing issued a resolution applying the new security law also to parliamentarians: those who support Hong Kong's independence, either refuse to recognize Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong, or ask foreign forces to interfere in territorial affairs, or commit acts that threaten national security must be removed from active politics.
Observers claim that the four did not carry out any of the acts attributed to them, but that they carried out their work respecting the rules of the Legco and obstructing - yes - the work of pro-establishment formations.
A few minutes after the news broke, the four disqualified lawmakers spoke to the media.
Dennis Kwok, who obstructed back the election of the House Committee chairman (so as not to pass freedom supressing laws), said it was "an honour" to be disqualified for "the struggle for democracy and human rights".
Kwok Ka-ki declared that today is "a day to remember and reflect on the struggle for democracy" and added that "today, One Country, Two Systems no longer exists ".
Rumors about a possible removal of the four legislators had already been circulating for several days. On November 9, 19 pro-democracy lawmakers said they would quit en masse if Beijing disqualified anyone from their party.
Just before leaving for Beijing, to attend the meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Assembly, Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong's only representative on the Committee, had warned “it is not good for lawmakers to use various means to disrupt Legco’s normal operation".
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12/11/2020 09:41
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