Church Leaders, Top Figures Raise Pressure On CE

Pressure mounted on the Carrie Lam administration to order an independent probe into the extradition bill saga, with two top religious leaders issuing a joint plea while a group of former officials and well-known figures also issued a similar statement.

The head of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, Cardinal John Tong, and the chairman of Hong Kong Christian Council, Reverend Eric So, issued their second joint statement, calling on Lam to respond as soon as possible to the “strong demands of the public”.

The religious leaders issued a similar joint statement on June 19.

The most recent statement said people are deeply worried and distressed about the clashes between protesters and police, and that the situation is deteriorating.

They urged the government to set up an independent commission of inquiry to “find out the truth in an impartial manner”.

They also said all parties should exercise restraint and avoid provocation.

“Regardless of political stance, one should treasure life and refrain from doing anything that might harm oneself or others,” they say in the statement.

The two religious leaders also called on the government to take the initiative to confer with representatives of different factions to seek a solution to the current impasse.

Meanwhile, a group of former government officials, doctors, academics and well-known figures also issued a joint statement, saying the setting up of an independent probe is key to preventing further conflicts and violence.

The 35 signatories include former undersecretary for transport, Yau Shing-mu, the former vice chancellor of Chinese University, Joseph Sung, top microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung, the CEO of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Shirley Yuen and HKTV chairman, Ricky Wong.

They urged Chief Executive Carrie Lam to show her courage as the city’s leader, and solve a political problem through political means. They said police officers should not be pushed to the forefront of the conflicts.

They also said all parties should avoid the spread of hatred and give Hong Kong a chance to start afresh.