hong kong
All over the world, politicians are eyeing up the independent justice system – but at the heart of any free country is the freedom to speak, think and debate, Index on Censorship's Rachael Jolley writes
The campaigners broke into the legislative chamber and have spray painted over the walls.
Protesters tried to break into Hong Kong’s legislature building on the 22nd anniversary of the handover to China. They used a metal trolley and poles to smash windows amid anger over the extraditions bill, which would allow people to stand trial in China. They are demanding the bill be scrapped and Hong Kong's Beijing-backed leader Carrie Lam step-down immediately. The former British colony was returned to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula.
Protests in Hong Kong escalated over the weekend as around two million people took to the streets over an extradition bill that could see HK citizens sent to mainland China for trial. Over the weekend, leader Carrie Lam issued a public apology and said she would indefinitely suspend the bill. On Monday, activist Joshua Wong was released from prison, where he has been since he was arrested during the 2014 pro-democracy protests.
The demonstration was the latest against the government's controversial extradition bill.
Police in Hong Kong have used tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters as demonstrations against an extradition law turned violent. Despite the Legislative Council announcing that it would delay the second debate on the bill until further notice, protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations until the bill is completely scrapped. The law would see suspected criminals in Hong Kong be sent to mainland China for trial.
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators.
Over a million protesters took to the streets in Hong Kong, marching against proposed amendments to extradition laws. The changes would allow Hong Kong to hand over fugitives to mainland China.
Hong Kong was guaranteed the right to retain its own legal systems for 50 years following its handover from British to Chinese rule.
Philippine authorities found 1,529 live exotic turtles stuffed in luggage belonging to a Filipino passenger arriving at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong. Customs officials handed 1,529 turtles to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Wildlife Traffic Monitoring Unit.