China tightens access to Tiananmen Square, 32 detained in Hong Kong on anniversary of 1989 protests

China tightens access to Tiananmen Square on the anniversary of the 1989 protests, and 32 individuals are detained in Hong Kong.

On the anniversary of the military crackdown that occurred in 1989, China has increased restrictions on accessing Tiananmen Square in Beijing. This square holds significant historical importance as it was the site of pro-democracy protests that were violently suppressed, resulting in an unknown number of casualties. Discussion and commemoration of these events are forbidden within China.

In Hong Kong, the last Chinese-controlled territory to hold commemorations, eight individuals, including activists and artists, were detained just before the anniversary. This further highlights the diminishing space for freedom of expression in the city. The police announced the arrest of a woman for obstructing police officers and detained 23 other people on suspicion of breaching public peace.

Traditionally, Victoria Park in Hong Kong served as the venue for an annual candlelight gathering to remember those who lost their lives during the Tiananmen Square protests. Many of the detained individuals were taken into custody near this park. However, since the imposition of a national security law in 2020, memorial events have been effectively banned in Hong Kong.

The exact death toll from the violent suppression in 1989 remains unknown, and the Chinese Communist Party actively suppresses any attempts to keep the memory of the events alive, both within China and abroad.

In Beijing, additional security measures were implemented around Tiananmen Square, including strict identification checks for anyone entering the area. Even individuals with journalist visas were required to obtain special permission to approach the square. Nevertheless, numerous tourists were observed visiting the iconic site, with long queues forming to enter the square.

Prior to the anniversary, a group of mothers who lost their children in the Tiananmen crackdown demanded justice and reiterated their call for “truth, compensation, and accountability.”

Human Rights Watch urged the Chinese government to acknowledge its responsibility for the killing of pro-democracy protesters. The organization criticized the Chinese government’s avoidance of accountability, which has contributed to arbitrary detentions, censorship, surveillance, and efforts to undermine rights domestically and internationally.

While Hong Kong employs colonial-era laws to suppress dissent, the persistence of non-conforming voices exposes the authorities’ inability to silence and control the population, according to Amnesty International.

Authorities appointed by Beijing in Hong Kong have prevented the Tiananmen memorial from taking place in the past three years, citing public health reasons. However, in 2020, thousands defied the police ban and held the event.

Despite the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the public commemoration in Hong Kong this year was subdued due to the Beijing-imposed national security law, which has resulted in the prosecution and silencing of many activists. Three leaders of the organization responsible for organizing the vigil were charged with subversion, and the group itself was disbanded in 2021 after being accused of working on behalf of foreign groups, a claim the group denied.

Following the enactment of the security law, visual displays related to the Tiananmen Square events, including statues at universities, were removed. Additionally, books covering the events have recently been removed from public library shelves.

When asked about the legality of publicly mourning the crackdown as an individual, Hong Kong leader John Lee stated that the police would take action if anyone violated the law.

In Hong Kong, many individuals marked the event in low-profile ways due to uncertainties about what authorities might deem subversive. One activist, Chan Po-ying, held an LED candle and two yellow paper flowers and was taken away by the police.

Victoria Park, which used to be a gathering place for democracy rallies, now hosts a carnival organized by pro-Beijing groups to commemorate the city’s handover to China in 1997. In Causeway Bay, where the park is located, an additional 14 people, including activists and a former head of The Hong Kong Journalists Association, were detained by the police.

These events on Sunday reflect the growing political chill in Hong Kong, which has led to an increase in emigration to countries like Britain, as well as a sense of ambivalence among the population, which was previously deeply engaged in local politics.

The United Nations Human Rights office expressed concern over reports of detentions in Hong Kong related to the anniversary and called for the release of anyone detained for exercising their freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

In Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, a commemoration was held despite China’s claim over the self-governing island. Over 500 participants attended the event, lighting candles, listening to speeches, and chanting slogans despite heavy rain.

Kacey Wong, an artist who relocated from Hong Kong to Taiwan, remarked that the 30 years of commemorating the 1989 protests had become an integral part of life. Wong mentioned that a fellow artist, Sanmu Chen, was among those detained while attempting a public street performance in Causeway Bay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tiananmen Square crackdown

More about Tiananmen Square crackdown

• China tightens access to Tiananmen Square on anniversary of protests
• Hong Kong: 32 detained on Tiananmen anniversary
• China’s suppression of Tiananmen discussions and commemorations
• Human Rights Watch’s call for accountability
• United Nations expresses concern over detentions