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八十六名教牧神學教育工作者發聯署聲明
強烈要求政府及警方撤回「暴動」指控

【時代論壇訊】香港基督教教牧聯署籌委會、教牧關懷團、Flow Church流堂,連同八十六位教牧及神學教育工作者,在六月十六日以「一群基督教教牧人員及神學教育工作者」的名義發起聲明聯署,強烈要求政府及警方撤回「暴動」指控,並對警方使用不合比例的武力對待和平示威人士、特首林鄭月娥面對二百萬市民作出「致歉」,予以最嚴厲的譴責。截至六月十八日下午,據香港基督教教牧聯署籌委會成員透露,共有九百多人聯署。整份聯署以中英文刊登,全文:http://bit.ly/2IIKQLO

以個人身份聯署的八十六位教牧及神學教育工作者,包括前循道衛理聯合教會會長李鼎新牧師及袁天佑牧師、教會更新運動總幹事胡志偉牧師、新福事工協會總幹事梁友東牧師,亦包括多位本港神學院的老師,如香港中文大學崇基學院神學院邢福增院長、中國神學研究院副教授雷競業牧師、建道神學院助理教授陳韋安博士等。

聲明提及他們對政府與警察稱呼六月十二日的警民衝突事件是「暴動」、稱和平示威者是「暴徒」感到憤怒。他們認為政府在《逃犯條例》修訂一事拒絕聆聽及溝通市民聲音,「反倒容許警方使用大量催淚彈、橡膠子彈、布袋彈,並毫無預告,無差別地射向大批和平示威的市民、學生,以及在場執行職責的傳媒。更教人憤怒的是,警方甚至使用不合比例的武力,毆打和平示威人士。」他們認為這些行徑激起更大民憤及衝突。同時他們認為林鄭月娥在接受傳媒訪問及記者會,一再表現出傲慢態度,對自身施政引發大規模的遊行及示威的責任,僅以「溝通不足」來作推卸,以「暫緩」來作敷衍;對於警方無情鎮壓及傷害,絲毫沒有歉意。聲明對上述行徑均予以最嚴厲的譴責。

聲明強烈要求政府相關部門應立即撤回以「暴動」來定性「六一二」衝突,認為當局動輒以「暴動」等罪名起訴涉案人士而深感擔憂。他們促請政府立即成立獨立調查委員會,全面檢視是次大規模示威及警民衝突的根本成因,特別就警方的部署行動,作全面檢討及追究相關責任。同時要求立即釋放「六一二」衝突中被捕人士。他們亦希望香港市民,尤其是年輕人及學生,仍須珍惜生命,克盡己職,在不同位置上繼續發聲,並在灰心絕望中相信三一上帝的同在。

有關聯署聲明如下:

一群基督教教牧及神學教育工作者強烈要求當局撤回「暴動」指控的聲明聯署

我們是一群基督教教牧人員及神學教育工作者,對於香港政府及警方將6月12日在金鐘、中環一帶的和平示威者稱為「暴徒」,並將是次警民衝突定性為「暴動」,我們深感憤怒,謹在此作如下公開呼籲及聲明:

一、香港市民按《基本法》行使請願及集會權利,應獲充分保障。6月12日,大量市民集結在金鐘一帶,對特區政府罔顧百萬遊行市民的訴求,強行恢復在立法會二讀「逃犯條例」(修訂)之舉,以和平示威方式表達不滿。令人痛心的是,當局不僅拒絕聆聽及溝通,反倒容許警方使用大量催淚彈、橡膠子彈、布袋彈,並毫無預告,無差別地射向大批和平示威的市民、學生,以及在場執行職責的傳媒。更教人憤怒的是,警方甚至使用不合比例的武力,毆打和平示威人士。有關行徑,進一步激起更大民憤及衝突。對此,我們予以最嚴厲的譴責。

二、特首林鄭月娥在6月12日接受電視台訪問,以及6月15日的記者會上,一再表現出傲慢態度,對自身施政引發大規模的遊行及示威的責任,僅以「溝通不足」來作推卸,以「暫緩」來作敷衍;對於警方無情鎮壓及傷害,絲毫沒有歉意。古語有云:「民無信不立」(《論語.顏淵七》),政府強推條例、罔顧民意、暴力鎮壓、拒絕問責……管治威信已蕩然無存,神人共憤。從政者沒有躬身自省,卻表現如斯狂傲;即使面對200萬市民表達的明確訴求,僅作微不足道的「致歉」。對此,我們予以最嚴厲的譴責。

三、我們強烈要求,政府相關部門應立即撤回以「暴動」來定性「六一二」衝突。自2016年起,政府草率使用「暴動」來界定警民衝突,我們深以為憂。當局動輒以「暴動」等罪名起訴涉案人士,企圖利用法律來嚴懲及威嚇示威者,卻未有反省為政者應有的責任,迴避自身在衝突中的角色。我們促請政府立即成立獨立調查委員會,全面檢視是次大規模示威及警民衝突的根本成因,特別就警方的部署行動,作全面檢討及追究相關責任。同時,我們要求立即釋放「六一二」衝突中被捕人士。

四、對於香港市民,特別是年青人及學生,在近日為愛護這片熱愛的土地的無私付出,以及各方彼此守望的崇高精神,我們深受感動。為政者不仁,但我們仍須珍惜生命,克盡己職,在不同位置上繼續發聲。在失望、灰心,甚至感到絕望的時候,惟願主耶穌的恩惠、天父的慈愛、聖靈的感動,常與我們同在。特別在此艱難時刻,與每一位愛護香港的人同在。

「你要對他們說,主耶和華說:
我指著我的永生起誓,我斷不喜悅惡人死亡,
惟喜悅惡人轉離他所行的道而存活。
以色列家啊,你們回轉,
回轉離開惡道吧!何必死亡呢?」(以西結書卅三章11節)

一群基督教教牧人員及神學教育工作者

2019年6月16日
聖三一主日

This is a joint statement urging the government to withdraw the "riot" accusation

We, a group of Christian pastors (and theological educators), hereby criticize the Hong Kong Government and the Hong Kong Police Force for calling the peaceful protestors "thugs", and declaring the 12 June clash as "riot".

(1) On June 12, a vast majority of demonstrators exercised their right of demonstration in accordance with Basic Law to protest against the SAR Government for defending for the extradition bill despite the "million-strong" march, and forcibly resuming the Second Reading of the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 in the Legislative Council. However, the authorities not only refused to listen to public voices, but also allowed the police to fire tear gas, rubber bullets, and bean bags at the citizens, students and press without prior warning. The police used excessive force against the unarmed protestors, fuelling public anger and conflict. We condemn in the strongest term such brutal and unreasonable use of force on protestors by the police.

(2) In her interview on 12 June and press conference on 15 June, Carrie Lam arrogantly refused to take responsibility for the historic demonstration, and refused to apologize for the excessive police force used in suppressing civilians. There is a Chinese saying, "The government cannot stand without the public’s trust" ("The Analects. Yan Yuan"). The reputation of the Hong Kong Government is undoubtedly tarnished after the Government’s forceful push of the bill, indifference to the public backlash, excessive use of forces, and refusal to be held accountable. Nonetheless, the government officials remain stubborn and conceited. We therefore strongly condemn the Government for offering only an insincere apology without any promise to take action in response to the clear demands of 2 millions Hong Kong citizens.

(3) We strongly urge the Government to immediately withdraw the term "riot". Since 2016, the Government has been rashly using the term, "riots", to describe police-civilian conflicts, and we are deeply disturbed. The authorities have tried to intimidate demonstrators by prosecuting them with crimes such as "riot", and evading their own roles as authorities in the conflicts. We urge the Government to immediately set up an independent investigation committee to comprehensively examine the incident on 12 June, especially the police brutality and misconduct. Also, we demand the immediate release of the arrested civilians in the 12 June conflict.

(4) We are blessed by the selflessness and passion of Hong Kong people, especially the young generation, for our beautiful city. Even though the authorities are not benevolent, we continue to stand on dignity and respect. May the grace of Jesus, the love of the Father and the touch of the Holy Spirit be with us in our deepest discouragement and despair. Let us be united at this difficult time.

"Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?'" (Ezekiel 33:11).

A group of pastors (and theological educators)

16 June, 2019
Holy Trinity Sunday

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