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Hong Kong faced more protests on Tuesday, against a proposed extradition law that would allow people to be sent to China for trial. Hundreds of protesters out in force in Hong Kong again on Tuesday (June 11).
They seek to derail a proposed extradition law that would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial. These marches are ahead of a second round of debate on the bill on Wednesday (June 12).
And despite the backlash, the Chinese-ruled city's leader Carrie Lam has vowed this will go ahead.But outrage over the proposed bill has been brewing for weeks.
Business leaders have warned that pushing through the extradition law could undermine investor confidence in Hong Kong, eroding its competitive advantages.
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| A demonstrator holds up a sign during a protest to demand authorities scrap a proposed extradition bill with China, in Hong Kong, China June 9, 2019. Reuters |
An online petition called for 50,000 people to surround the legislature building - which is currently controlled by a pro-Beijing majority.
Officials argue that a loophole has allowed Hong Kong to become a haven for criminals from the mainland.They say this bill would close it.
It would specifically allow for extraditions from Hong Kong to greater China - including the mainland, Taiwan and Macau.
Human rights groups have cited the alleged use of torture, arbitrary detentions, forced confessions and problems accessing lawyers in China - where the courts are controlled by the Communist Party - as reasons why the bill should not proceed.
China denies accusations that it tramples on human rights. Strikes and transport go-slows were also announced for Wednesday - in a last-ditch effort to block the bill. (Reuters)
