Derechos Humanos / Human Rights

• The ominous shadow that stretches in 2022 over Hong Kong – Russia – Myanmanr – Afghanistan - Belarus - Cuba - etc.

Hong Kong held its first election since sweeping reforms to the city’s electoral system. Asked to select from a reduced number of pre-vetted and "patriotic" candidates, only 30.2% of voters participated, with pro-Beijing and pro-establishment figures winning 89 of 90 seats. “The boycott from Hong Kong people shows there’s no mandate to this legislature,” declared exiled activist Nathan Law.

Russia liquidated Memorial, the country’s oldest human rights organization and a record keeper for crimes committed under Soviet rule. The decision from a Kremlin-controlled Supreme Court was unsurprising, and “confirms that the people who are sitting in the Kremlin today consider themselves to be the direct successors to Stalin,” according to prominent dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza.

Myanmar saw a nationwide “silent strike” after the military junta massacred 11 villagers. Businesses shut between 10 am and 4 pm on the 10th of December to signal defiance and normally congested roads in the cities of Yangon and Mandalay were deserted. “Today’s silent strike shows how the Burmese people are against the terrorist military,” Ko Bo Kyi commented.

• New book, titled Collected Remarks by Xi Jinping on Respecting and Protecting Human Rights, includes 2014 speech to party leaders instructing them how to respond to criticism from Western countries.

 Beijing, Dec.18.– New book publication coincides with the latest clash on values between Beijing and the West with competing for virtual summits.

Chinese officials should “resolutely hit back” whenever confronted by the West on human rights, President Xi Jinping instructed China’s ruling elite in 2014, a new book has revealed.