Hong Kong: Demonstrators begin to rally again on June 21 /update 21

Event

Various civil society and student groups are calling for further protests in Admiralty on Friday, June 21, after the government failed to respond to their demands by a 17:00 (local time) deadline on Thursday, June 20. As of Friday morning, students and other demonstrators were reportedly moving towards the Legislative Council Complex, where protest organizers have asked supporters to gather. Government offices in the area will be closed on Friday as a precaution, and significantly heightened security measures are expected in the area. Transportation disruptions, including road and metro station closures, are possible, along with crowded conditions. Clashes between protests and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Protesters asked the government meet several demands by the Thursday deadline, including permanently scrapping the controversial extradition bill, the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam, an investigation into the police response to previous protests, and the release of demonstrators detained by the police.

Mass demonstrations of up to a million people have been held since June 9 in opposition to a controversial extradition bill that would allow Hong Kong to extradite fugitives wanted in mainland China, along with Macau and Taiwan. Opponents claim the law would erode freedoms guaranteed by China in 1997 and may be used to silence dissent on Chinese policies.

Advice

Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor the situation, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, refrain from discussing political subjects in public or on social media, avoid all public gatherings due to the risk of violence and arrest, and anticipate transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence.