Hong Kong: At least 72 wounded in extradition bill protests June 12 /update 11

Event

At least 72 people were wounded in clashes between police and protesters in Hong Kong on Wednesday, June 12. Tens of thousands of protesters assembled outside the Hong Kong Legislative Council on Wednesday, denouncing an extradition bill that would permit accused individuals to be sent to mainland China for trial; some threw plastic bottles and charged at police, who fired tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators.

A heightened security presence and transportation disruptions are to be expected in Hong Kong over the coming hours. Similar demonstrations are possible over the coming days and weeks amid a heavy police deployment. Accompanying clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Mass protests attended by up to 1.03 million people were held in Hong Kong on June 9. The protests were largely peaceful, though some clashes with security forces were reported in the early morning hours.

Several demonstrations have been held in recent weeks over a proposed law that would allow Hong Kong to extradite fugitives to mainland China, along with Macau and Taiwan. Opponents claim the law would erode freedoms guaranteed when possession of Hong Kong was transferred from the UK to China in 1997 and may be used to silence dissent on Chinese policies.

Advice

Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor the situation, refrain from discussing political topics in public or on social media, avoid all public gatherings, and anticipate transportation and business disruptions and a heightened security presence.