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Cardinal denounces Hong Kong judiciary for suppression

Cardinal Zen attends prayer and vigil to mark 29th anniversary of Tiananmen Square massacre
Cardinal denounces Hong Kong judiciary for suppression

Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun attends a prayer co-organized by the Union of Hong Kong Catholic Organizations in Support of the Patriotic and Democratic Movement in China and the Franciscan Justice and Peace Group. (ucanews.com photo)

Published: June 06, 2018 09:44 AM GMT
Updated: June 06, 2018 09:55 AM GMT

Emeritus Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun believes Hong Kong's judiciary has become a tool for suppression to jail young people who have participated in politics.

He was speaking at an event in Hong Kong to mark the 29th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown when hundreds of protesters were killed on June 4, 1989.

Cardinal Zen said the situation in China had become worse over the last 29 years and the government had recently been monitoring relatives and friends of those who died in the crackdown.

The Chinese Communist Party's oppression of religion, particularly by forbidding minors from taking part in religious activities, was obviously organized and large-scale suppression, he said.

Referring to Hong Kong's situation, he said the "one country, two systems" policy has long been out of shape, and even the judiciary has become a tool of political pressure. 

"Those citizens who safeguard the intrinsic values of Hong Kong and have ideals, especially young people, have been sent to prison in batches. The authorities have done whatever they want. Is this not China before June 4, 1989?" Cardinal Zen asked.

"What we expect should not be a scene of blood flowing but another Velvet Revolution." 

The Velvet Revolution was a democracy protest that took place in Czechoslovakia in November 1989 to oppose communist rule. It achieved regime change without massive bloodshed.

Cardinal Zen said he hoped to see everyone at Victoria Park next year on the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun attends a candlelight vigil on the 29th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. (ucanews.com photo)

 

The Union of Hong Kong Catholic Organizations in Support of the Patriotic and Democratic Movement in China and the Franciscan Justice and Peace Group held an annual prayer on the anniversary.

That was followed by the Patriotic Democratic Movement Federation holding its annual candlelight vigil at Victoria Park.

A banner stating "Ending one-party dictatorship" hung on the side of the stage near a statue of late Chinese Nobel Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo.

Organizers announced that 115,000 people attended the vigil but police said the figure was only 17,000.

Or Yan Yan, a project officer at the Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong, told ucanews.com that a wounded cartoon character on a mirror handed to the 90 prayer attendees represented those who were oppressed for pursuing justice and selfless devotion.

"We hope to use this mirror to remind people that we must pursue justice and love and live in God's image," she said.

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