Democrat lawmakers call for Tiananmen ‘rehabilitation’

The upcoming June 4 Vigil to mark the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Incident is proving the impetus for the democrat faction among Macau’s lawmakers to call for the “rehabilitation” of the historical event in the city.

Lawmakers Sulu Sou, Ng Kuok Cheong and Au Kam San have submitted a motion to the President of the Legislative Assembly, Ho Iat Seng, calling attention to the historical event.

According to All About Macau, the lawmakers point out that the historical truth does not care for the official evaluation of events.

The lawmakers write that, in order to put the country back on the path of democratic development, it is hoped that the 1989 pro-democracy movement will be rehabilitated in the minds of the people. The democrats also want an inquiry opened into the events of that year, which have been suppressed by the Chinese government, as well as compensation given to the victims and the families, according to the law.

The annual candlelight vigil is held in memory of the events that occurred on June 4, 1989 in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, when pro-democracy protestors were violently repressed.

A vigil is held in Macau each year to commemorate the Tiananmen Square Incident. It has been held in Senado Square in recent years, counting the attendance of a few hundred participants on each occasion. Last year, the turnout was approximately 200.

A much larger event is held in neighboring Hong Kong, which usually draws the attention of international media. Last year, the memorial event reportedly attracted between 40,000 and 100,000 people, who packed Victoria Park chanting “End one-party dictatorship!” and “Building a democratic China!” DB