Naseerah Nanabhai
23-11-2019
Protests in Hong Kong began in June and has so far not ceased. The protests initially began as a movement to oppose the proposal to allow extradition to mainland China. But now it has come to include major demands that are all part of a long-standing call for full democracy.
After the bill was suspended, protests continued as many feared that it could be revived. The demonstrations were aimed at getting it completely withdrawn. Once it was withdrawn completely, the movement’s momentum was too strong to be curbed.
Watching the South Eastern region crumble due to protest violence and unrest is a painful scene.
For almost half a year we have seen mounting anger and demonstrations. There has been a dramatic escalation of force between anti-government protesters and the police.
The extent of which has now caused violence to be a normalized part of life in the city. The constant confrontation between protesters and the police has tarnished a city once known for safety.
Hong Kong follows a constitutional framework commonly termed as “one country, two systems”. Under this system, each region of China can continue to have their own system of government, financial independence, and a legal system.
Implementing this model in Hong Kong has always been difficult. Mainly because it was never intended for the former colony – since it was the British that negotiated this system with China and consultation with the people living in Hong Kong did not occur.
The Chinese held a consistent view that the whole of Hong Kong should be Chinese territory.
If the extradition bill is eventually signed, it will bring an end to any hopes of Hong Kong being a democracy.
In light of the might and strength of these protests, changes in the nature of the relationship between Hong Kong authorities and citizens are now inevitable. The one country, two systems model is going to change – it is just a matter of how.
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