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Hong Kong will suspend a controversial extradition bill in China, its chief said Saturday, ostensibly to quell the unrest and mbad protests in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
Expressing after consultations with lawmakers, the executive director, Carrie Lam, senior official in Hong Kong, said that the adoption of the bill would be suspended and that the second reading that was due to take place this month it was canceled.
Ms. Lam said that there was no timetable for resuming discussions on the bill. She said that it was not likely to pbad this year.
"We have made many attempts to reduce the differences and eliminate doubts," Lam said. "Last week, tens of thousands of people took part in demonstrations and rallies, serious conflicts erupted …, causing many injuries among police, media professionals and others. members of the public, I am saddened. "
She added that by suspending the bill, she hoped that the government could "restore calm" in society. Do not do it "would bring a new blow to society," Lam said.
The announcement follows fierce clashes between police and protesters on Wednesday after tens of thousands of people, mostly young people, surrounded the city's government headquarters, forcing lawmakers to postpone the debate over the draft. law.
They were only the latest in a series of public demonstrations against the bill, fearing that detractors could not be used to extradite mainland residents for political offenses or inadvertent commercial crimes. .
On June 9, more than a million people took to the streets for a peaceful march against the law, about one in seven of the city's population. A potential rehearsal for this event is scheduled for Sunday.
Speaking before Lam's press conference, a spokesman for the Human Rights Front of Civilians confirmed to CNN that the march would continue even though the bill was suspended. In a statement, the Democratic Party announced that the march would begin at 14:30 local time Sunday at Victoria Park. Protesters will wear black and demand that the bill is completely withdrawn and Lam will resign.
& # 39; Deep regret & # 39;
Speaking to media on Saturday, Lam is accused of failing to effectively communicate with the public. She explained that the initial driving force of the bill was a murder case in Taiwan, in which the alleged perpetrator, a Hong Kong, had fled into the city. This case, said Lam, has highlighted "flaws" in the current legislation regarding Greater China.
"As a responsible government, we must find a solution to deal with this murder case (and) to do justice to the family," Lam said.
However, Taipei said earlier this month that it would not seek to extradite the man on the basis of the bill, which would endanger Taiwanese citizens, thereby removing urgently for Hong Kong lawmakers to amend the law.
Although she stated that "the original purpose of the bill is correct in my mind," Lam added that "our communication was not adequate".
"I am deeply saddened and regret that the shortcomings of my work and other factors have caused deep discontent and controversy within the company," said Lam, adding that she and her team "would embrace" 39, the most sincere future and humble attitude ".
The rise of the bill will raise questions about Lam's future. Prior to becoming General Manager in 2017, Lam announced that she would resign "if the public opinion makes me more able to continue in this position."
Legal issues
Although Hong Kong is part of China, its legal system is different. It is called "a country, two systems".
Pro-democracy figures have said the bill, backed by the pro-Beijing Lam government, would lead to an erosion of civil rights in Hong Kong, including freedom of speech and the rule of law.
"We are afraid of becoming a mainland city," legislator Fernando Cheung said Thursday. "We would no longer have the rule of law, our own autonomy."
Throughout the debate, Lam said the bill was necessary so that Hong Kong would not become a sanctuary for fugitives escaping justice in mainland China.
The Hong Kong Legislative Council is expected to meet on July 20, before resuming its work in October.
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