Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
Hong Kong Protests : Leader Carrie Lam

Hong Kong, June 17: Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has on Sunday apologized with “utmost sincerity and humility” to the public after massive mass protests demanding the resignation of Lam over her administration’s tackling of a controversial extradition bill which permits suspects in Hong Kong to be sent to mainland China for court trial.

According to Al-Jazeera news reports, organizers said at least two million people on Sunday took it to streets demanding the extradition bill’s full withdrawal and to mark their anger at polices’ handling of a demonstration on Wednesday.

According to a statement from Lam’s office on Sunday, chief executive Lam “admitted that shortcomings in the government’s work has led to a lot of conflict and disputes in Hong Kong society and has disappointed and distressed many citizens”.

The statement added, “The chief executive apologizes to the citizens and promises to accept criticism with the most sincere and humble attitude.”

Lam’s apology has come after thousands of black-clad protesters turned out on streets for the very-second time just in one week to demonstrate against the controversial bill.

One of the mass protest organizers, Bonnie Leung told Al-Jazeera Lam’s apology was baseless and meaningless. She added, “Hong Kong people are tired of being lied to by their representatives. The more sincere you say you are, the more anger we have. Her apology just added fuel to the fire.”

She asserted to ratchet up pressure on Lam’s government, the protest movement was necessary. She also said it was necessary for the international community to have their attention focused over the territory.

“If the international community values the rule of law, freedom and human rights, they need to speak up.”

On Saturday, Lam announced she was indefinitely suspending the proposed bill but however, the announcement failed to placate critics.

However, she insisted the bill was necessary despite expressing “deep sorrow and regret” over the extradition bill.

 

 

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