Hong Kong and its citizens need hope, not fear in 2021 – the UK can help make that happen

There has been enough suffering, it is time for things to change, writes Lord Alton of Liverpool

Pro-democracy activists Ivan Lam, Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow are some of those who have faced up against Hong Kong authorities (REUTERS)

This year has been a dark and unprecedented one for the whole world. Coronavirus has hit us all – either directly or from living through the pandemic.

However, for ordinary Hongkongers, Covid-19 has been just one of a series of  tragedies that has led to the suffocation of their freedoms and fundamental rights. Hongkongers deserve better and in 2021 they need hope, not fear.

Protests erupted across Hong Kong at the beginning of 2020. One million people marched on the streets to defend autonomy in a spectacular demonstration of the fearlessness, persistence and passion of Hongkongers. This uprising was met with ruthless oppression.