Leaders of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement have travelled to Canberra calling on politicians not to shirk human rights concerns for economic gain.
The protesters are insisting human rights clauses be included in a free trade deal between Australia and Hong Kong, expected to be ratified by the end of this year.
Months of mass protests against Beijing’s perceived interference in Hong Kong have been marred by violent clashes between police and protesters.
Dennis Tsui is among those pushing for Australian politicians to back what they say is a fight to preserve their democratic freedoms.
Hong Kong has descended into mass protests in past months. Source: EPA
“We would like you to stand with Hong Kong,” he told SBS News.
“That’s why we are coming here to Canberra to try and do a little bit more for our home country.”
The Hong Kong protesters delegation will include Hong Kong student activist Sunny Cheung and Hong Kongers from across Australia. Solidarity protests have been seen in multiple Australian cities since the unrest in Hong Kong broke out.
The Hong Kongers say they will be meeting with several politicians, including Senator Penny Wong, Liberal MP David Sharma, and also Scott Morrison’s international affairs adviser Michelle Chan.
Dennis Tsui, who is studying in Sydney, went back to Hong Kong in July, taking part in the protests that have placed the autonomous Chinese territory in turmoil.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activists are pushing for human rights clauses to be included in a free trade deal between Australia and Hong Kong. Source: SBS News
He said at that time the protests were ‘mostly peaceful’ and had not descended into their most violent outbursts.
“Hong Kong is in a really bad situation,” he said.
“Of course I feel hard about that.”
“Things are getting really bad and there is police brutality.”
The protesters are demanding politicians in Canberra postpone a free trade deal between Australia and Hong Kong.
“We would like Australia to postpone it until the situation is getting better,” Mr Tsui said.
A Senate committee has backed the free trade deal going ahead, despite recognising concerns over the volatile protests and “uncertain political situation”.
The committee's report included a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade saying "the purpose and import of the agreements negotiated … remained unchanged.”
“It is because the Australian Government supports a stable, prosperous Hong Kong, with a high degree of autonomy, under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework, that the government intends to proceed to ratify the agreements."
Recent weeks of protests have seen clashes flair with Hong Kong police continuing to be accused of brutality over their use of tear gas, force, and live rounds to disperse protesters.
But Hong Kong and Chinese authorities have blamed demonstrators for the volatile situation with Chief Executive Carrie Lam issuing an emergency decree to ban the wearing of face masks.
In one incident a protester was shot in the chest with a live round by a police officer.
Mr Tsui said despair had mounted since their movement erupted over an extradition bill rejected by protesters as an attempt to increase Beijing's control of the region.
“There is a lot of brutality … they catch the lawmakers shooting guns directly in front of protesters,” he said.
"A lot of people are committing self-suicide, so that’s something that we really need to care about.”
The protesters are also lobbying for the Australian government to extend visa conditions for Hong Kongers on humanitarian grounds until the unrest settles.
They are also urging the Australian government to enact so-called Magnistky Sanctions to penalise Hong Kong government officials for what they say is ‘supressing and violating’ the human rights of Hong Kong citizens.
The same day protesters visited Canberra, the United States House of Representatives passed a measure declaring its support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement.
And Mr Tsui has called on Australia to express the same solidarity, with protesters concerned China is using ‘economic leverage’ to silence dissent.
“When you see Hong Kong is happening like this … Australia may also take the risk of getting worse,” he said.
“The most important thing is to save your own country”.
The Australian government has called for urgent restraint in Hong Kong, and for both sides to work towards a peaceful resolution.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (up to age 25). More information about mental health is available at .
