Responding to the arrest of a Hong Kong student who launched a petition demanding government accountability following a deadly fire in the city’s Tai Po district, Luk Chi-man, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas, said:
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of residents, workers, and firefighters who tragically lost their lives in the fire, and we wish a swift recovery for all those injured.
“Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the devastating fire in Tai Po, rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions.
“Even as we mourn, we cannot ignore the need to bring justice to the affected families as well as to prevent as much as possible the reoccurrence of similar tragedies. We urge the Hong Kong authorities to establish the full facts of last week’s tragedy through a thorough, independent, impartial and open investigation, and to publicly clarify the cause of the fire, hold relevant persons accountable and release all findings without delay.
“As part of this comprehensive investigation, the government must fully and transparently assess whether any individual or government official demonstrated regulatory negligence or failures that contributed to the tragedy. It is essential that a thorough report reviewing any systemic and policy failures connected to this incident is produced.
“It is both a right and a duty for people in Hong Kong to demand this kind of accountability; but rather than recognize this, the Hong Kong authorities have instead chosen to silence those who raise their concerns and demands.
“Freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly are human rights protected under international and Hong Kong law. The Hong Kong authorities must end the misuse of broadly defined ‘national security’ laws to target anyone – including those who engage in community-led support efforts or seek to disclose or report information in the public interest.
“A healthy society should not have only one voice. The authorities must ensure that all investigative and disaster relief efforts are conducted in a transparent and participatory manner. The initiatives of grassroots volunteers should be supported, and the views and needs of Hong Kong people must be fully taken into account.”
Background
The Wang Fuk Court fire in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong broke out on 26 November and has claimed at least 146 lives.
On 29 November, an individual who launched a petition demanding accountability was arrested by national security authorities on suspicion of “sedition”, according to local media reports. The university student, who had urged the government to respond to “four demands” in the aftermath of the fire, was reportedly released on bail on 1 December.
Local media reported that another two people were arrested on 30 November on “sedition” charges in relation to the fire.
The post Hong Kong: Government must investigate and allow freedom of expression following deadly fire appeared first on Amnesty International.
