Status of WTO Protestors is Thorny Issue in Hong Kong

More than 1000 people were arrested after violent protests erupted at the WTO conference last month in Hong Kong, and most were released soon afterward. Labor and social groups describe the few who remain in custody, most from South Korea, as “political prisoners” and lobby for their release. The South Korean government insists its citizens should not take the fall for worldwide outrage. Emphasizing the violent nature of the protests, the Hong Kong government has rebuffed claims that the accused are political hostages and rejected South Korea’s appeals for speedy release. Hong Kong contends that the integrity of its independent legal system is at stake and resists setting any easy precedent for violent protests. Because host nations are responsible for its security, the WTO with its growing body of critics has emerged as an unwelcome guest that invites more trouble than business. Not surprisingly, no country has yet offered to host the next WTO meeting. – YaleGlobal