Hong Kong and the struggle for Democracy

A Hong Kong protester (x)

In 1970 Hong Kong was relinquished from British oversight and established as a Special Administrative Region within the People's Republic of China. This region was and allowed a level of autonomy not seen in mainland China and was set out to operate under a "one country, two systems" rule. This path moth has proved very difficult for these two systems. Hong Kong authorities announced new limitations on chief executive candidates for 2017 , essentially stating that leaders must be Beijing-approved. Protests broke out in this financial hub and have been dubbed the Occupy Central with Love and Peace by the pro-democracy groups and students that have amassed to demand change from their government. Protesters have tirelessly camped out in busy city streets despite violent police reactions. Last night a meeting was held between activists and government representatives. Students demanded true democracy while officials lamented that Beijing holds a level of constitutional authority. Articles 19 (freedom of the press), 20 (freedom of assembly) and 21 (freedom to take part in a government with genuine elections) define the necessity of these movements. Beijing has violated these rights with the censoring of social media, harm of non-violent protesters and initial tampering of democracy. 

Sources
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Hong Kong's Protests are a Big Deal
The Hong Kong government-protestor Sit-down