China restricted access to Tiananmen Square, in central Beijing, this Sunday, the day marking the 34th anniversary of the pro-democracy protests that took place in that square in 1989.
In Hong Kong, the last Chinese-controlled territory to hold commemorations, eight people, including activists and artists, were arrested on the eve of the 34th anniversary of the crackdown, a move that underscores the shrinking space for freedom of expression . in the city.
This is according to a statement released on Saturday. The police reported that four people have been arrested for allegedly disturbing public order or for acts with disobedient intent. Four other people were arrested on suspicion of violating public order. Authorities did not immediately respond to an email asking for comment on Saturday.
The large public space had been the scene of an annual candlelit gathering to commemorate the hundreds or thousands of dead when army tanks and infantry raided downtown Beijing on the night of June 3 into the morning of June 4.
Discussion of the events has long been suppressed in China and has become increasingly banned in Hong Kong since a sweeping national security law was imposed in June 2020, effectively banning anyone from holding commemorative events.
in beijing, Security has been tightened around Tiananmen Square, which has long been surrounded by security checkpoints that require identification. People passing by on foot or by bicycle on Changan Avenue, north of the square, were also stopped and required to identify themselves. Those who had a journalist visa in their passport were told they needed a special permit to approach the area.
Still, crowds of tourists were seen visiting the emblematic site, with hundreds of people queuing to enter the square.
On the eve of the birthday, a group of mothers who lost their children in the Tiananmen Square crackdown sought redress and issued a statement renewing their call for “truth, reparation and accountability”.
The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch called on the Chinese government to admit responsibility for the deaths of pro-democracy protesters.
“The Hong Kong government’s shameful campaign to prevent people from celebrating this anniversary reflects the censorship of China’s central government and is an insult to those killed in the Tiananmen Square crackdown,” Amnesty said. International.
Hong Kong authorities, appointed by Beijing, have blocked the Tiananmen Memorial for the past three years on public health grounds. In 2020, thousands of people defied a police ban to hold the event.
Despite the lifting of most restrictions imposed by Covid-19, the city’s public celebration this year has been dampened by a national security law imposed by Beijing that has harassed or silenced many Hong Kong activists.
Three leaders of the group that organized the vigil were charged with subversion under this law. The group itself disbanded in 2021 after police said it was under investigation into working for foreign groups, a charge the group has denied.
Following the law’s enactment following mass protests in 2019, Tiananmen-related visual spectacles, including statues on universities, were also removed. More recently, books about the events have been pulled from public library shelves.
Source: DN
