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Hong Kong’s protesters; the fight for democracy


This week the central streets of Hong Kong have been occupied with students from the Hong Kong University and others who protest against the current form of government in Hong Kong. They want to choose for themselves which leader Hong Kong gets and a legitimate election for Hong Kong. Protests have taken place before but this time it is on a large scale.

First let me explain to you the political situation in Hong Kong right now. On the website of Hong Kong’s government they describe themselves as “prosperous”, “more democratic”, and “capitalistic”. Registered voters can vote in Hong Kong above the age of 18. Registered voters choose for their representative in the territory’s Legislative Council. One step higher in the hierarchical ladder is the Executive Council. This council is chosen by  the Chief Executive and the 1,200 members of the Executive Council choose the Chief Executive. Therefore the Chief Executive (who can be seen as the president) is not directly chosen by the people. This is not uncommon at all, in the United States the president is also chosen indirectly but then by senators which are chosen by the people.

Yesterday a news message came which said that the anti-democracy protesters are trying to cause chaos in the pro-democracy occupied areas, 19 people were arrested. The Dutch news program “Nieuwsuur” claimed that one would get paid for causing chaos or breaking down tents in the occupied areas. Some protesters have left the central streets because of the threats, they could leave peacefully.

The protests have been quite peacefully the last week and now the mood seemed to have changed in Hong Kong. According to the NOS and Reuters the inhabitants of Mong Kok, the residence in which most of the protests take place, are fed up with the protesters. They are eager for shops and banks to open up again and busses to drive through their neighbourhood.

Hopefully the government of Hong Kong will be willing to negotiate with the protesters. Then there could be a chance that a middle road could be found in this struggle for democracy. The peace would be gainful for both sides of the ‘fight’, the students could go back to college and the shops could open up again.  


Sources:
- https://time.com/3464206/blue-ribbon-protestors-occupy-hong-kong-china-democracy-triads/

- http://nieuwsuur.nl/uitzending/2014-10-03/  
- http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/03/us-hongkong-china-idUSKCN0HN03Q20141003/
- http://rt.com/in-vision/hong-kong-rival-rally/


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