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| Tents are set up at the occupied areas by the pro-democracy protesters outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong’s Admiralty, Oct. 26, 2014. |
The organizers of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protest have canceled a vote on what the next steps should be in their month-long street occupation. The vote was scrapped just hours before before it was due to begin.
Following landmark Tuesday talks, Hong Kong authorities had offered to send a letter to China’s cabinet relaying protesters’ dismay at Beijing’s decision to pre-approve candidates for the territory’s 2017 election.
The government also offered to hold regular dialogue with the protesters on democratic reform, on the condition they end the protests that have blockaded many busy streets.
Main protest leaders rejected the proposals as insufficient, but others had said a referendum was important in order to get a better endorsement from the people.
It was not immediately clear if a vote will be rescheduled.
Tens of thousands have camped out in several protest sites since late September, calling for the Beijing-friendly Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to resign and for Beijing to allow genuine universal suffrage.
Hong Kong and mainland authorities say the protests are illegal and have suggested that the protesters do not reflect the will of Hong Kong residents as a whole.
On Thursday, the protesters received a lift from the U.N. Human Rights Commission, which called on China to ensure universal suffrage, including the “right to stand for elections.”
Source: VOA and Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
