Nothing independent about Hong Kong police complaints process say critics, as watchdog floats idea of special panel to investigate extradition bill violence
- Concerns raised over council critics say is made up of pro-government or conservative figures
- Independent Police Complaints Council chairman Anthony Neoh recommends a ‘study’ into clashes
The police watchdog’s plan to set up a special panel to look into the clashes during the extradition bill protests in Hong Kong has been met with scepticism, with critics saying an independent inquiry is necessary to ensure a fair and comprehensive investigation.
Critics said they have no faith in the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) because it is made up of many pro-government or conservative figures, and was not as independent as the name suggested.
The council also would not have the power to summon witnesses, they said on Thursday, unlike if Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor used her power enshrined in the law to launch an independent inquiry, which was always chaired by a judge.
“The government has kept saying that there is an established mechanism that handles complaints against the police, and that it has been working well. But you need to look at who are the members of the IPCC now,” said lawmaker Kenneth Leung, formerly an IPCC member from 2010 to 2016.
He said the government used to allow liberal members in the IPCC, such as legal academic Eric Cheung Tat-ming, but not any more.
