Sign the Petition in Support of Pro-Democracy Protesters in Hong Kong
In accordance with the principles enshrined in the UNPO Charter, we strongly support the wish of all people to have a voice in determining their own future. UNPO, therefore, stands firmly behind the protesters in Hong Kong who have been demonstrating for their fundamental right to elect those who govern them. These protests have come as a reaction to Beijing’s announcement that it would screen those who stand in the elections for the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, the top post of the city, in 2017. Many see this as an encroachment of China's political will on Hong Kong's governance. Police have responded to these protests with force, using batons and tear gas in an attempt to disperse the protesters.
In response to the forceful crackdown on demonstrators seeking to exercise their fundamental right to self-determination, we urge you to join UNPO in signing this petition in support of the pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong. The aim of the petition is to get an official response from the White House and a condemnation from US President Barack Obama, and to ensure that the fundamental rights of the protesters are respected. Please find more details about the petition below:
Please Sign Petition to the White House
We ask all the democracy-loving people living around the world to sign our We The People petition to the White House on Hong Kong which urges the US government to monitor the constitutional crisis in Hong Kong, press the Chinese Government to honor their promise of democratic elections to the Hong Kong citizenry, and prevent a second Tiananmen Massacre from happening in Hong Kong. Our goal of having the White House respond to this crisis can be achieved by reaching 100,000 signatories by Oct. 4, 2014. Please forward to friends and colleagues to support this petition.
Goal: Have the U.S. government strongly condemn any effort by Beijing to crackdown peaceful demonstrations in Hong Kong by using force.
Requirement: 100,000 signatories by Oct 4, 2014
3 Easy Steps:
1. Go to: http://wh.gov/lhJ2E
2. Sign with First Name, Last Name, and Email on the right column.
3. [Important!] Check your email from the White House, and CONFIRM your signature.
Initiating Organizations:
- Citizen Power for China/Initiatives for China
- Canada-Hong Kong Link
- Occupy Central with Love and Peace Toronto Support Group
- Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement
- ChinaAid
- Chinese Democratic Education Foundation
- Beijing Spring
- Students for Free Tibet
- Southern Mongolia Human Rights Information Center
- Uygur American Association
- Federation for a Democratic China
- Global Support for Democratization in China and Asia
- Alliance for a Democratic China
- Chinese Republican Party
- China Social Democratic Party
- Alliance of the Guard of Canadian Value
- China Democracy Party United Headquarter - Overseas Division
- Sydney Democracy Platform
- Chinese Alliance for Democracy
- The Qi's Cultural Foundation
- Taiwan Association for China Human Rights
- Taiwan March
- Taiwan Labour Front
- Association for Free Communication
- Formoshark
- Taiwan Youth Anti-Communist National Salvation Corps
- Taiwan friends of Uyghurs
- Taiwan Independence Reformation
- Peacetime Foundation of Taiwan
- Youth for Human Rights of the Republic of China
Update:
After the petition passed the threshold of the 100,000 signatures needed, the White House issued an official response. It stated that the United States of America supports the protesters' aspirations for unviersal sufferage and their right to freedom of expression and urged the Hong Kong Authorities to exercise restraint. The text of the official White House Response is below:
Response to We the People Petition on the Protests in Hong Kong
We are watching the situation in Hong Kong closely. Around the world, the United States supports internationally recognized fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We urge the Hong Kong authorities to exercise restraint, and for protestors to express their views peacefully.
The United States supports universal suffrage in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law and we support the aspirations of the Hong Kong people. We believe that an open society, with the highest possible degree of autonomy and governed by the rule of law, is essential for Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity -- indeed this is what has made Hong Kong such a successful and truly global city. We have consistently made our position known to Beijing, and we will continue to do so.
We believe that the legitimacy of the Chief Executive will be greatly enhanced if the Basic Law's ultimate aim of selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage is fulfilled and if the election provides the people of Hong Kong a genuine choice of candidates representative of the voters' will.
Photo Credit: Reuters/Tyrone Siu
