Rock the Yellow

You may notice an unusual influx of yellow in people’s wardrobes today. This isn’t a simple fashion statement—it is part of an international movement to express solidarity with pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. The movement deserves our support, and China should be criticized for its behavior toward civil rights both in Hong Kong and on the mainland.

The protests were sparked in opposition to voting reforms proposed by the Chinese legislature in August that would require a special committee to approve all candidates for chief executive of Hong Kong in the coming 2017 election. The committee will be comprised of pro-Beijing supporters, and it is widely believed that the committee’s purpose is to root out candidates whose progressive politics would oppose Beijing’s interests. Protestors—mainly students—took to the streets this weekend in what has been lauded as a universally peaceful movement.

The same praise cannot be directed at the Chinese government. At every step of the way, the government has behaved in ways that are anathema to civil rights. In Hong Kong, riot police sprayed tear gas and pepper spray on unarmed protestors. In mainland China, the government recently blocked access to social media services Instagram and Weibo in what appears to be an effort to contain the pro-democracy movement to Hong Kong.

Similar conduct toward civil liberties has been the norm in mainland China for years. China operates under a one-party government, with the Communist Party playing the leading role. Activists who criticize the system and the Communist Party are regularly silenced. Just this month, a university professor protesting the treatment of the Uighurs in China was sentenced to life in prison. The so-called “Great Firewall of China” blocks access to many popular social media and news websites, and has caused companies such as Google to pull out of mainland China due to ethical qualms.

Comparatively, Hong Kong, while governed by the China, has been relatively lucky. The former British colony has—up until this point—retained many traditionally “Western-style” freedoms under the so-called “one country, two systems” arrangement.

Hong Kong’s recent situation has garnered much more Western attention, perhaps due to its large expatriate population, and its place as a financial hub in Asia. Hopefully, this situation will make people notice the rights abuses on the mainland as well as in Hong Kong—all such abuses are an outrage against all people.

Unfortunately, foreign governments have been slow to condemn Beijing’s actions. The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong released a halfhearted statement on Monday refusing to “take sides” on the issue. Later, the White House took a slightly more critical stance of China, expressing solidarity with the “aspiration of the Hong Kong people.” While such statements are a good start, foreign governments should more strongly oppose of the situation in Hong Kong and the continued human rights abuses under the Beijing regime.

Luckily, where governments have been too cautious to make noise, college students have stepped in. The “Wear Yellow for Hong Kong” movement—organized by Crimson editorial writer Heather L. Pickerell ‘15—has drawn thousands of supporters from universities across the country.

It’s time for the world to stop ignoring China’s abhorrent human rights record. China’s GDP is no excuse for its government’s continuous infringement on its citizens’ rights. The people of Hong Kong deserve a voice, both in the streets and in the ballot box.