The 15th anniversary of the violent repression of the 1989 Democracy Movement will take place this June 4. As in previous years, tens of thousands of Hong Kong people will gather in Victoria Park to sing songs of democracy and hold a candle-light vigil. This annual event is held in memory of the still unconfirmed hundreds, possibly thousands of students and workers who died in the small hours of June 4 1989 as they tried to stop the army from shooting its way into Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. The Hong Kong alliance in support of democratic movements in China has written an open letter to Chairman Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao listing five key demands and asking democratic organisations around the world to sign it. We reprint the letter below. If you wish to support these demands please visit: http://www.alliance.org.hk/signww_e.php



Dear Sirs,

June 4th is an indelible brand in history. It is an unforgettable bloody tragedy. When its 15th anniversary is forthcoming, we seriously deliver this open letter and solemnly request you to:

(1) Reverse the verdict on June 4th as the first step to political reforms and to pave the way to democracy;

(2) Set up an investigation committee to find out the truth, to hold responsible those who brought about the tragedy, to compensate the casualties, and to stop persecution on the families of the casualties;

(3) Release all imprisoned pro-democracy activists and dissidents;

(4) Allow those in exile to return to China, lift the ban of issuing China travelling documents to pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong;

(5) Implement freedom of speech, freedom of publication, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of procession, freedom of demonstration and freedom of religion as enshrined in the Constitution

We look forward to your favourable response to the above.