A Hong Kong women's rights organization announced on Wednesday March 8 that it had canceled a demonstration after its members were repeatedly summoned by the police, who had - unusually - authorized the gathering.
The Hong Kong Workers' Association (HKWWA) had been given permission to hold a protest on March 5, but they abruptly called it off the night before the event, without giving any explanation.
“Full Risk Assessment”
On Wednesday, the association said "
the police asked to meet us several times
", after they received permission for the march.
"
The action had first received a notice of approval from the police
," the HKWWA said in a statement.
“
The association did its best to find an agreement with the police so that the demonstration could take place.
However, the result did not live up to our expectations
”.
“
We were unable to organize the march and the rally for the women to express themselves
”.
Hong Kong police, for their part, explained in a statement on Wednesday that they carry out a “
comprehensive risk assessment
” when contacted for a public event, and then take “
corresponding measures
” to manage it.
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Asked by AFP whether they had put pressure on the HKWWA, the police told a press conference on March 4 that they “
respected the decision of the organizers
”.
Hong Kong was previously the scene of frequent protests, but these ended after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020 to quell widespread and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests.
Group gatherings were also banned for more than two years under Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, which began to be eased in late 2022. After the HKWWA march was called off, police said anyone participating would be considered to be in violation of unlawful assembly laws.
According to the organisers, “
the groups and citizens who supported us were also under pressure
”.
Those supporters include the pro-democracy political party League of Social Democrats, which said its members were threatened with police arrest if they took part in the march.
HKWWA pledged on International Women's Day to continue the fight for gender equality and women's rights in the world of work.
“
Our only choice is to continue and persevere: solidarity, helping each other, expressing ourselves.
»
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