Doctor from PolyU Siege Condemned HK Government in Lancet Article : "Subverting Humanity for Operational Needs"
During the large-scale clashes at Polytechnic University (PolyU) last November, where Hong Kong Police laid siege to protesters trapped on the campus, a large number of volunteer first aid workers and paramedics were arrested on charges of rioting. British surgeon Dr. Darren Mann, who was on campus that day, gave an account of it in an article in The Lancet, the world’s leading medical journal, in which he slammed the police's actions as "almost unheard of in civilized countries", and asserted that the city has fallen into a humanitarian crisis.
The Hong Kong Government also submitted an article to The Lancet to refute Dr. Mann's claims. On March 14, The Lancet published a reply from the surgeon, in which he further criticized the government and police for being “oblivious to the impact of their misplaced priorities, and by subverting humanity for operational needs have succeeded in reversing the traditions of over 150 years of humanitarian history”.
HKGov: Protesters were repeatedly given opportunities to leave
Mann: First aid must be provided, minimize likelihood of injuries under international law
In their submission to The Lancet, the government claimed that when Dr. Mann arrived at PolyU on Nov 17, the campus had already been occupied by "rioters and radical protesters" for 5 days. "The Government's approach, including that of the police and other emergency services, was to resolve the standoff at the university peacefully and flexibly."
The "rioters" were further accused for seizing control of the campus and the nearby footbridge over the Cross-Harbour Tunnel's entrance, setting fires, as well as bombarding police officers with various objects "capable of killing". It also claimed that the protesters' activities inside the campus were a "serious threat to public safety and human life". The article further defended the police, stating that those inside “were repeatedly asked and given the opportunity to leave the campus peacefully… but many did not".
In his reply, Dr. Mann pointed out that “policing of violent public disorder at scale is challenging and demands the highest levels of professionalism and discipline", but "principles of international law in conflict provide a useful framework to identify the priorities and responsibilities of authorities". Leaders must "make provision for the treatment of the injured irrespective of whether they be protester, public, press, or police." In addition, police is obliged to "avoid escalation of violence, to minimize likelihood of injuries, and to plan for the medical treatment of casualties."
HKGov: "Rioters" often disguised as first-aid workers or journalists
Mann: Police do not have monopoly on providing first aid
The government article also claimed that it was common for "rioters" to "disguise themselves as first-aid workers or media representatives", so police must verify their identities and credentials, and arrest those who could not provide such. In total, 7 who claimed to be first-aid workers and 12 who claimed to be journalists were arrested during the siege because they could not produce any “solid proof". The government further accused the protesters for refusing help from ambulance crews "for fear of being arrested", stating that police also arranged other groups such as Fire Services and Médecins Sans Frontières to provide first-aid services.
However, Dr. Mann said when ambulance cannot reach the wounded, urgent care must be provided in other forms, and "the police do not have a monopoly on the provision of first aid". By the principle of humanity, "any suitably qualified person present" is justified to attend to the wounded.
He further criticized the police for arresting and detaining clearly-identifiable emergency medical workers on the pretext that some were allegedly protesters in disguise: "[This] is not only unpersuasive but a disrespect of the principles of distinction and proportionality. Deprivation of medical care is a serious infringement of the basic human rights of the injured."
Mann: HK Government and Police subverting their humanity, reversing 150 years of humanitarian traditions
The government's response concluded by emphasizing that "the wellbeing and safety of the injured, who include police officers, has been a top priority" since the beginning of the standoff. However, Dr. Mann observed that "the government and the police of Hong Kong seem oblivious to the impact of their misplaced priorities, and by subverting humanity for operational needs have succeeded in reversing the traditions of over 150 years of humanitarian history." He called upon the international community and humanitarian organizations to monitor Hong Kong's situation, in order to ensure international humanitarian laws and practices are being honoured by the government.
Source: Apple Daily
HK government's article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30369-X/fulltext (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30369-X/fulltext)
Dr. Darren Mann's reply: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30368-8/fulltext (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30368-8/fulltext)