Amnesty: Hong Kong is becoming increasingly discontented

According to the international agreement signed before the return of Hong Kong to China, Hong Kong should enjoy "a high degree of independence".

Then Hong Kong was guaranteed a range of democratic freedoms and rights. However, according to Amnesty, other principles have instead gained increasing influence in Hong Kong in recent years, namely China's national security and sovereignty.

The restrictions on Hong Kong independence began in 2003. The Hong Kong government then sought to introduce a law on national security, which, according to Amnesty, could have been used to limit human rights. At that time, half a million people protested in the streets of Hong Kong, and the law was withdrawn.

Since then, Amnesty describes that several freedoms and rights have been gradually restricted: freedom of assembly, freedom of organization and freedom of expression. For example, Hong Kong police have incorrectly labeled peaceful demonstrations as illegal and prosecuted participants. Political organizations and journalists have been harassed. Media self-censorship on a broad front. On many occasions, according to Amnesty, police have used excessive force in demonstrations and also failed to intervene when protesters have been attacked by counter-protesters.

According to the report, the restrictions are a result of political influence from Beijing. The new policy is described in a 2014 policy document from the Central Government in Beijing. There is a reinterpretation of the principle called "One country, two systems". According to it, Hong Kong should have a different social system than China. But the Beijing document states that "one country" is in fact superior to "two systems". For example, it was stated that lawyers in Hong Kong must first and foremost love their country.

Amnesty criticizes Hong Kong authorities for using vague wording around national security to justify human rights abuses in Hong Kong.