World News | 'Rights and Freedoms Are Not Absolute': HK Govt After Universities Tore Down Tiananmen Massacre Monuments

Hong Kong, December 26 (ANI): After local universities tore down Tiananmen Massacre monuments, the Hong Kong government has said that "rights and freedoms are not absolute".

Workers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) removed the Tiananmen Massacre statue, widely known as the Pillar of Shame, on Wednesday, months after the university had said the statue must go, Hong Kong Free Press reported.

Also Read | UK Researchers Warn Half of Cold Cases Will Be COVID-19.

This monument was created by a Danish artist in memory of those killed in the Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing in 1989.

The Chinese University removed the Tiananmen Massacre Goddess of Democracy statue the next day, claiming its erection in 2010 was "unauthorised."

Also Read | France Reports Over 100,000 New COVID-19 Cases in Past 24 Hours as Omicron Rages, Highest Since Pandemic Began.

Meanwhile, Lingnan University removed a relief dedicated to the June 4 crackdown citing legal and safety concerns.

Responding to HKFP as to whether it backed the universities' move, a government spokesperson declined to comment on individual cases, but said: "Various rights and freedoms are guaranteed under the Basic Law. However, these rights and freedoms are not absolute. In particular, any person exercising the right to freedom of expression or the right of peaceful assembly should respect the rights of others, and should not compromise public order and public safety, etc., while doing so." (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)