The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China strongly condemns the violent attacks by paramilitary police on three Hong Kong journalists attempting to cover protests on Sept. 4 in Urumqi.
The journalists were reporting on protests when they were tackled by paramilitary police while running to escape tear gas fired to disperse crowds. The journalists said they were punched and kicked by the police, then detained face-down on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs for 15-20 minutes. The journalists repeatedly asked the armed police to check their State Council-issued press ID cards but the requests were ignored.
“I was beaten with a baton on my shoulder and punched and kicked on my knee and lower back,” said Lam Tsz-ho, a reporter with Hong Kong’s TVB. “My cameraman was also beaten all over his body with a baton.”
The journalists were taken to a police station where they were held for two or three hours. The crews eventually had their damaged equipment returned, but one crew’s tape was confiscated and still missing. During the same period, paramilitary police also seized an APTN camera crew’s equipment, returning it five hours later.
The incidents stand in contrast to the relatively open and safe reporting conditions foreign correspondents met while covering Urumqi riots in July.
“The beating and harassing of journalists must stop. The local authorities in Xinjiang must ensure that journalists are able to do their jobs without fear of attacks,” said FCCC President Scott McDonald.
For more details:
http://www.fccchina.org/category/incident-reports/
Also see related statement from the Foreign Correspondents Club, Hong Kong and a letter from the club to the Chinese government.
LOCATION: Urumqi
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Violence, detained for three hours, broken equipment, confiscated tape
TOPIC: Protests
NATIONALITY/ORGANIZATION: Hong Kong/television
“At around 3.30pm, we were interviewing Han Chinese protestors on Hongqi road. There were a few thousand protestors and about 1,000 paramilitary. At a road junction (police) had put up barricade. The protestors walked close. They were yelling slogans, calling for (Xinjiang Party Secretary Wang Lequan to quit.”
The police fired tear gas, and the situation grew chaotic.
“I was separated from my cameraman. He was holding his camera, filming. Five-six paramilitary went up to my colleague and grabbed him, pushing him to the ground. His hands were tied to his back with rope, along with the TVB cameraman and reporter. The three of them were pressed to the ground.
They told them they had their State Council press passes in their pockets, but the officers didn’t listen and continued to beat them. They were beaten on the head repeatedly, on the leg. Then, the three of them were taken to the police station and questioned.
Our camera was confiscated. When they returned the camera around 5.30pm, we realized they had taken our tape. An officer went up to my colleague to apologize for the incident. We asked for our tape back but they said they don’t know what happened to it. They let us go. ”
Mingle on a pretty hardwood deck dotted with plants and parasols under a blue sky, chilled
drink in hand, with tantalising aromas of sizzling delights wafting over from the barbecue, while the kids splash to their hearts’ delight in the large shallow pool. See the mouthwatering menu below.
DATE: Saturday, September 5th
TIME: 3-8pm
VENUE: Westside Bar’s outdoor terrace, entrance from GuangHua Road, Prosper Center – between Kerry Center and HanWei Plaza (click here for map)
RSVP to fcccadmin@gmail.com so we can cater accordingly
ENTRANCE: “bracelet” collectable and payable on the door
PRICES (includes local beer, cheeky house punch, soft drinks):
FCCC members discounted price: 200 rmb
- Bring your FCCC membership cards otherwise you’ll be charged full price!
- Each member may buy 2 tickets at member price
Non-members: 250 rmb
Kids: 4 years and under free; 5-12 years 100 rmb
Ayis: Food and drink as above 100 rmb; Drinks only 50 rmb.
PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: The pool surrounds the deck and has no fence. It is only 20 cms deep, so please decide whether it is appropriate for toddlers – or bring your ayi to keep an eye on them constantly. Why not bring rubber rings and water games too? Oh and towels! We’ve negotiated a special price for ayis. Let us know when you book places, so we can include them in the catering requirement.
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