Originally Posted by William06:
Hong Kong’s firemen statement
We received inbox from a group of firemen, hoping us to publish their statement on our platform:
“Ashamed to be associated with the Police†- Hong Kong’s firemen speak out against pro-police statements made by the Chief Fire Officer and the union
On the 1st of October, a police officer shot a student at point blank range. Almost immediately afterwards, heads of the disciplinary forces indicated their blind support for the Hong Kong Police Force, therefore also encouraging the rule of law to be subservient to political interests. We now make this statement because we want to make a stand against their stance. Their statement is not representative of what us firemen and medical staff think; in fact, we believe their words constitute a clear violation of the fundamental mission of a fireman or a medical staff.
We have gathered the signatures of almost two hundred members of the fire services and medical staff at different ranks and seniority. The co-signed statement expresses deep disapproval of the statements made by these high-ranking officials. We are also extremely angry at the active refusal and hindrance by police officers in allowing medical aid to reach casualties who are on the verge of death. Not long ago, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mr. Chan proudly stated that the fire services and medical staff would risk their lives to rescue others, and that it would be unthinkable for them to leave a casualty to die alone. Fast forward to today: the atrocities committed by the Hong Kong Police Force have thoroughly violated the mission of the fire services. How, then, can our chief officers expect us firemen to concur with him?
In the past four months, altercations between the police and citizens have become ever more heated. In the strongest and most unequivocal terms, we condemn the ever-escalating violence, unchecked abuses of their powers and arbitrary arrests by the Hong Kong Police Force. In addition, on multiple occasions we have witnessed police officers hindering, misleading or even insulting firemen and medical staff who are acting in the course of our duties. Under Chapter 95 section 27 of Hong Kong law, anybody who resists, hinders or delays the fire services from carrying out their duties commits an offence. Therefore, under the law, there is no place for these police officers to challenge us when we are carrying out our duties, regardless of the identity or political stance of the victim. The fire services have a legal duty to ensure that anybody who requires help from the fire services receives appropriate rescue and medical attention. The high-ranking officials of the fire services supports “strict†law enforcement by the Hong Kong Police Force, but what about “legitimate†law enforcement? Did they consider the fact that it is illegal under Hong Kong law for anybody, including themselves, to hinder the work of a fireman?
Different branches of the civil service all have a basic duty under the law to cooperate with each other in ensuring the welfare of Hong Kong society at large. At this dark time, when those in power clearly treat the rule of law with disdain and rejoice in destruction, we urge every civil servant create a platform on which to stand up and make our voices heard.
Finally, we hope the Hong Kong Government can finally realise its misdeeds, and atone for them by proactively addressing the Five Demands by its people. We would like this Government to return the prosperity and stability this city once saw, and give us back the hope for the future we all deserve.