– Hong Kong students need Norway's support

Hong Kong students are risking their lives demonstrating for their right to democracy. Norway should support the demonstrators and prove they are a real peace nation – don't let China have a “free pass” on human rights violations just because it has grown into being an economical superpower.

A dysfunctional electoral process

Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, says under article 45, that the “ultimate aim” is to have “universal suffrage” nominated by “a broadly representative nominative committee” in accordance with “democratic procedures”. The protesters believe that democracy means that every citizen has an equal right to vote and equal voting power irrespective of other political beliefs. However, under Beijing’s frame of electoral reforms, no true universal suffrage will be permitted. Although everyone can vote, not everyone would be eligible for electoral candidacy. The protesters are concerned with the dysfunctional electoral system. The protesters’ believe that a nominative committee of 1200 is highly privileged and not representative enough of around 3.5 million eligible voters, as they are elected by another small group of people who have uneven votes. Also, this nomination process can serve to screen out candidates disapproved by the Beijing government. All candidates need to get the support of half of the committee to run in the election. Accordingly people who have a good “relationship” with the business sector and who have pro-Beijing affiliations can in theory easily get into the election, whereas other people are screened out. This obviously raises the question of corruption.

The problem of corrupt leaders

The protests are not only a way to express our belief in and requests for real democracy, but also a channel to voice our frustrations over the previous governments elected by the same committee. The previous chief executive Donald Tsang has been involved in a corruption scandal and his policies were oriented towards the benefits of big corporates and land property tycoons – he got a lot of support from the business sector in the election. Many problems we are facing right now were left behind unhandled in his incumbency. From the protesters perspective, without open nominations, leaders like the Tsang can always be in power. It is the protesters’ ultimate hope that with universal suffrage, they could elect a true leader that is willing to listen to the public and works for the public.

Peaceful protesters against brutal police forces

The peaceful sit-ins gradually gained more echoes and spread from campuses to neighborhoods. But on 28/9, when the police force decided to fire teargas, the whole scene turned violent on their side. In order to clear away the protesters before the next Monday, the police deployed teargas, batons and pepper sprays. All of these were unnecessary forceful means because the protesters had been very restrained, just seeking for dialogues with the government. Despite these actions, the protestors continued to fight for a brighter future of Hong Kong. They braced themselves with only goggles, plastic wraps and umbrellas in protection against the police who aimed to turn them down with weapons. In total they shot 87 canisters. It is sad and shocking to discover that the police that we once trusted resorts to inhumane means to suppress the peaceful protesters. It shows us that the government does not respect the right of assembly and free speech at all.

Hong Kong's autonomy is in danger

Hong Kong has always been a unique region in China where autonomy, free expression and the right of assembly are our core values. Many students, including me, have never thought that we would have to defend our rights and fight for our future at the risk of our lives. Now we see that our freedom is quickly eroding and our rights are being trodden upon. Our story is relevant to students in Norway, especially when Norway has gone through 200 years to become a nation with one of the most developed democracy in the world. We should always keep in mind that we need to treasure the rights we enjoy freely now, they should never be taken for granted. This may be a good chance for you to reflect and plan for the future you envision in another 200 years and more to come.

Norway – a real advocator of democracy?

As a country that exercises democracy and values human rights, Norway has shown their support in issues happening in other places around the world where human rights are violated and where people are at risk, advocating for what the people of Norway have faith in. However, Norway seems not to have taken any firm stance in the human rights issues in China or Hong Kong as it does elsewhere. Ever since the Nobel Prize incident, in which there was monetary loss on Norway’s side because of China’s reactions, Norway has laid low. China has grown to be a strong power economically and there is a lot of business cooperation between the two countries. But if Norway really champions for human rights, I believe that Norway should be firm in their stance and support the peaceful protests in Hong Kong. Don't let nations like China have a “free pass” on human rights violation just because they are too strong to deal with. I have faith that Norwegian people wish for a world where human rights are protected and the government for Norway should therefore give support to the Hong Kong protesters.

We need your support!

International support encourages our movement fighting for universal suffrage. These are values both Norway and Hong Kong believe in. We need your support because your support can add pressure to the government in Hong Kong or China. Your support can influence the decision of the government in Hong Kong on how they will treat the protesters and what the outcomes will be. We need your help to condemn the police and the government and tell the world that violence is intolerant. We urge you to keep an eye on Hong Kong and spread our message – we contintue to fight for democracy with love and peace.