Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Amnesty International: Hong Kong Police Using Excessive Force Agence France-Presse HONG KONG - Amnesty International on Friday accused Hong Kong police of using excessive force against pro-democracy protesters, in some cases amounting to torture, criticizing a "disturbing pattern of reckless and unlawful tactics." In a report based on interviews with nearly two dozen activists, most of whom were hospitalized after their arrests, the global rights watchdog said the city's police officers routinely went beyond the level of force allowed by local law and international standards. "In an apparent thirst for retaliation, Hong Kong's security forces have engaged in a disturbing pattern of reckless and unlawful tactics against people during the protests," Nicholas Bequelin, East Asia director at Amnesty International, said. "This has included arbitrary arrests and retaliatory violence against arrested persons in custody, some of which has amounted to torture." .