HK will fare better without the Front: Regina Ip

Executive Council member Regina Ip said the dissolution of the Civil Human Rights Front will be beneficial to the city, because it had always been a group that “opposes China and disrupts Hong Kong”.

Ip said she believed the front might have decided to disband over worries that its past activities might have violated the national security law.

The DAB party – the largest party in the legislature – said the front only had itself to blame, saying it had “organised and incited numerous anti-China events that also disrupted Hong Kong”, and had held anti-extradition protests in defiance of police’s objection.

Meanwhile, political scientist Ivan Choy said he expects more groups to decide to dissolve.

“Although [the front] gave some official reasons but we know that it is a logical result of the continuous harsh comments from the official media and also the warnings given by officials like the management of the police force,” explained the senior lecturer at Chinese University.

He noted that the Professional Teachers’ Union also disbanded citing pressure.

“It is not an isolated event…we should position it under a larger trend and context of the crisis faced by the civil society in Hong Kong,” he said.

He added that it will be difficult for other groups to take up the baton from the protest organiser.

“I think the chance to see a large-scale mobilisation has been dramatically reduced, and maybe the government would like to see that.”