Student Leaders Stand By Amnesty Demand

Student Union leaders of two universities have virtually rejected Chief Executive Carrie Lam's offer to hold open talks, saying they stand by their two conditions including amnesty to all protesters before they consider the offer.

Responding to a demand by student leaders at eight tertiary institutions, Lam had earlier on Tuesday said she will agree to open talks with them. But she had rejected calls for amnesty to all protesters, which was their second condition.

Jacky So, president of the Chinese University's student union said their position hasn't changed.

"We have two preconditions. One is the public meeting. The second is stop charging the protesters. She actually can't meet the second condition which is very necessary, very important," he said. In order to communicate frankly, the protesters must be free from any worries, So told RTHK's Richard Pyne.

He said the student leaders of the eight institutions – Chinese University, Hong Kong University, the University of Science and Technology, Baptist University, Polytechnic University, City University, Education University and the Academy of Performing Arts – will issue a joint statement to Lam soon.

The external vice-president of the HKUST Student Union, Vincent Ng, also dismissed Lam's offer for an open dialogue.

Ng said since the Chief Executive has already made clear her stance on the demands of the protesters, he didn’t see the need to hold talks with her.

He said students have lost hope in Lam and that she no longer represents Hong Kong people.

Meanwhile Lester Shum, who was among the student leaders who held talks with government officials during the Occupy protests, said the offer of open dialogue means very little if the government doesn't intend to meet any of the protesters' demands.

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