Japan Press Weekly

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2020 August 12 - 18 [WORLD]

JCP again demands immediate end to human-rights suppression in Hong Kong

The Japanese Communist Party considers human-rights suppression in Hong Kong as an international issue and has repeatedly demanded that the Chinese authorities stop their crackdown on Hong Kong protesters without delay, respect the "One country, Two systems" framework, and find ways to peacefully settle the situation.

On October 15 of last year, JCP Chair Shii Kazuo held talks with Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou, and criticized the Chinese government for labelling peaceful demonstrations as "organized riots" from the very start and for giving support to the Hong Kong government's restrictive measures. In the talks, Shii told the ambassador that a peaceful solution to the situation should be sought through dialogue.

On November 14 of last year, Shii issued a statement pointing out, "The increase of suppression by the Hong Kong authorities has been carried out with the approval and guidance of the top Chinese leaders." The statement claims that the Chinese government's "reaction and measures implemented are incompatible with a socialism that respects democracy and human rights above all", demanding that the Chinese leadership cease the violent suppression of the anti-government protests immediately.

At the JCP 28th Congress in January this year, the party put emphasis on problems of China's big-power chauvinism and hegemonism and of human rights violations in Hong Kong. The JCP deleted the assertion made in its previous Program that China is a country which is "beginning a new quest for socialism".

The Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress passed the "Hong Kong National Security Law" on June 30. In response, JCP Chair Shii published a statement pointing out, "This is an outrageous act which further strengthens the forces of suppression of human rights in Hong Kong and turns China's international commitment of 'One Country, Two Systems' into a hollow sham," and called for the withdrawal of the law.

Shii held a press conference on July 2 after the law was implemented and referred to the fact that several protesters had been arrested for just holding a "Hong Kong independence" flag. He said, "This is similar to Japan's prewar Public Order Maintenance Law and is an outrageous and oppressive piece of legislation." He in the conference stressed the importance for the international community to raise voices in protest over this situation.

Past related articles:
> JCP protests the enactment of 'Hong Kong National Security Law' and calls for its withdrawal [July 1, 2020]
> Shii condemns China’s imposition of national security legislation on Hong Kong [May 29, 2020]
> JCP Chair protests police suppression of civil demonstrations in Hong Kong [May 25, 2020]