{"id":644642,"date":"2019-06-09T10:55:07","date_gmt":"2019-06-09T10:55:07","guid":{"rendered":"
\"Hundreds<\/p>\n
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\"Hundreds<\/div>\n

Hundreds of thousands of protestors have taken to the streets of Hong Kong in a final bid to block a law it is feared could be used by China to make critics \u201cdisappear\u201d.<\/p>\n

The mass rally is being held to demonstrate against the controversial extradition bill, which would allow suspected criminals in the territory to be sent to the mainland to face trial.<\/p>\n

In soaring temperatures marchers of all ages and backgrounds chanted \u201cno China extradition, no evil law\u201d, while some also demanded the resignation of Hong Kong\u2019s chief executive Carrie Lam.<\/p>\n

Ms Lam has made minor changes to the bill, which could become law by the end of June, but has refused to scrap it arguing it is needed to plug a long-standing \u201cloophole\u201d.<\/p>\n

School teacher Garry Chiu, who was at the protest with his wife and one-year-old daughter, said: \u201cIt is no longer about me. I need to save my daughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the law is implemented anyone can disappear from Hong Kong.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one will get justice in China. We know there is no human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelvin Tam, a student in London, said: \u201cIt will remove the firewall of Hong Kong judicial independence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Police have detained a number of protesters.<\/p>\n

The former British colony was handed back to Chinese rule in 1997 with guarantees of autonomy and freedoms, including a separate legal system.<\/p>\n

The last British governor Chris Patten, now Lord Patten, said the move would \u201cstrike a terrible blow \u2026 against the rule of law, against Hong Kong\u2019s stability and security, against Hong Kong\u2019s position as a great international trading hub\u201d.<\/p>\n

Opponents have challenged the fairness and transparency of the Chinese justice system and worry about security forces fabricating trumped up charges.<\/p>\n

Several senior Hong Kong judges have also raised concerns about the changes, highlighting a lack of trust in the mainland courts as well as the limited nature of extradition hearings.<\/p>\n

Human rights groups have repeatedly expressed anxiety about the use of torture, arbitrary detentions, forced confessions and problems accessing lawyers in China.<\/p>\n

Hong Kong officials have defended the plan arguing there are adequate safeguards and insisting no-one would be extradited if they face political or religious persecution or torture, or the death penalty.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe continue to listen to a wide cross-section of views and opinions and remain to open to suggestions on ways to improve the new regime,\u201d a government official said.<\/p>\n

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