Hong Kong Activists In Court Over New Election Rules

HONG KONG,(APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th july,2016) - Hong Kong pro-democracy activists challenged controversial new election rules in court Wednesday after candidates for an upcoming vote were asked to sign a form saying the city is an "inalienable" part of China. Critics have slammed the new stipulation as political censorship and an attempt to deter candidates in September's parliamentary elections from advocating self-determination or independence from Beijing.

It comes as some young campaigners are calling for more distance or even a complete breakaway from the mainland as fears grow that freedoms in the semi-autonomous city are disappearing due to Beijing interference.

At least 13 pro-democracy candidates have refused to sign the declaration. Hong Kong's High Court said Wednesday it would not make a ruling on the challenge over the legality of the form -- brought by two pro-democracy political groups -- before the end of the nomination process Friday, as activists had wanted.