In the fringes of the 193rd Executive Committee meeting of Liberal International, LI President, Dr. Juli Minoves, has released a statement on the continuing pro-democracy demonstrations currently taking place in Hong Kong. The EC mandated the LI President to summarise the discussions in Hong Kong in a presidential statement on behalf of the International.
9th November 2014, Hong Kong
Liberal International (LI) admires and supports the peaceful demonstrations of the youth of Hong Kong in a truly grassroots movement for democracy and for the ability of the electorate to have a government of their choosing. We, the Executive Committee of LI, have witnessed the courage of human beings who bond together, in spite of obvious risks, to defend the idea of representative government and their future. It is not the World that is trying to influence Hong Kong: it is these amazing students gathered in Central Hong Kong that are helping to change the World. As liberal politicians from over eighty different nations we need to hear their message and make it ours.
LI has come to Hong Kong to witness the protests. As many times in the past, we are on the spot, in direct contact with all of the actors in a diverse open society such as Hong Kong. We lead an inclusive mission to Hong Kong and have met both businessmen and civil society representatives, both demonstrators and the authorities.
LI has seen first-hand that the protests are genuine. The protests have nothing to do with international intervention – they are a clear demonstration of Hong Kong people’s desire for democracy. Liberal International sees nothing foreign in the demands of a people to select their own leaders without interference. A centralized power of one political colour can coexist with an elected local government of a different political outlook. We urge Beijing to respect the choices of the Hong Kong people.
As liberals we respect national boundaries. But, where we are active, we stand for and deliver democracy and devolution of power. This is how Hong Kong’s quest for true democracy should be understood. The membership of Liberal International is strong proof that human rights and democracy are a universal concept. Democracy can flourish in Asia and deliver good results. We can see in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Indonesia, for example, that democracy is not a western concept – China can and should embrace it too.
In our meetings with the Beijing-backed authorities and with demonstrators, we, representatives of Liberal International, learned of their commitment to their country, China. As in any other society, whenever there is a divergence of views, there is a necessity for open dialogue. The use of force will bring nothing good – not to Hong Kong, China, or the region. We reiterate and commend the peaceful character of the demonstrations and insist that no violence be used at any point.
For nearly 7 decades our message has been consistent: those who call for more freedom will always have the support of liberals.
ENDS.
