Letters | Kowloon Mosque water cannon incident shows why an inquiry into Hong Kong police handling of protests is needed

Despite the government’s apology, the fact remains that police officers crossed the line and disrespected Hongkongers’ religious freedoms. They should be held to account

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Member of the press are seen outside Kowloon Mosque on Nathan Road, shortly after it was hit by a police water cannon. Photo: Civic Party via Reuters

Published: 7:35am, 23 Oct 2019Updated: 7:55am, 23 Oct 2019

On Sunday, a Hong Kong police water cannon hit the Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre on Nathan Road, spraying blue dye on both the mosque entrance as well as people outside. Mohan Chugani, a former president of the Indian Association of Hong Kong, some members of Unison, pro-democracy lawmaker Jeremy Tam Man-ho and several other people were hurt and needed medical attention. We extend our best regards to those who stood outside to protect the mosque, and condemn the police use of water cannon on the mosque.

Videos from media sources show that there were only a few people outside the mosque at the time. It was totally unnecessary to deploy the water cannon. However, the police officers did not appear to consider the circumstances or the dignity of the place of religious worship.

Respect for religion and places of worship is a fundamental civic virtue and common sense in a civilised society. But on June 12, during clashes with protesters, one officer is alleged to have told a pastor: “Ask your Jesus to come down and see us.”

The UN Declaration of Human Rights and the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 18). Furthermore, according to the CCPR General Comment No 22 on Article 18, “the concept of worship extends to ritual and ceremonial acts giving direct expression to belief, as well as various practices integral to such acts, including the building of places of worship” (paragraph 4).

To protect the integrity of places of religious worship is an essential part of protecting the right to freedom of religion. The Hong Kong Basic Law as well as Bill of Rights Ordinance guarantee the right to freedom of religion in accordance with international standards.

The chief executive and Hong Kong police commissioner visited Kowloon Mosque on Monday morning and met the chief imam. It is known that the mosque authorities accepted their apology.