Lack of police probe could renew protests: Amnesty

Amnesty says the police 'not only failed to de-escalate tension, but also fuelled it further through the use of unnecessary and excessive force'. Photo: AFP

Amnesty International on Thursday warned that Hong Kong's anti-government protests could re-ignite unless an independent commission of inquiry into alleged police brutality is established.



The group's regional director, Nicholas Bequelin, said the authorities may be hoping the coronavirus epidemic will extinguish the unrest, but the government's failure to set up an inquiry is adding to an "accountability vacuum" and further eroding public trust.



“Each passing day that the Hong Kong government stubbornly resists establishing an independent inquiry adds to the accountability vacuum and erodes public trust further,” said Bequelin.



He said that the existing police complaints system is not fit for purpose, and even the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had called for an “impartial investigation”.



But the government keeps insisting that the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) is adequate, he said.



“The mass protests that rocked Hong Kong in the latter half of 2019 are not over. The authorities may be counting on the coronavirus epidemic to extinguish the unrest, but unless they take action the demonstrations – and abuses linked to them – are eventually likely to return,” warned the Amnesty official.



Bequelin said an independent probe and recommendations based on that could prevent violence happening in future, "including that employed by some protesters".



Amnesty said it had documented "an alarming pattern of reckless and indiscriminate tactics by the Hong Kong police", including custody beatings and torture.



"Strong evidence suggests that the police not only failed to de-escalate tension, but also fuelled it further through the use of unnecessary and excessive force and the persistent impunity for such behaviour," it said.