Hong Kong Watch welcomes UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressing “grave concerns” over Hong Kong 47 sentencing

Today in response to the sentencing of 45 of the ‘Hong Kong 47’ democrats, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations issued a statement of condemnation expressing grave concern.

The Office of the High Commissioner states: “The use of such security laws of sweeping breadth results in the criminalisation of conduct protected by human rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.” The Office also highlights concerns around the large number of those accused and the chilling effects the sentences will have on other legislators, journalists, students, lawyers and academics in Hong Kong.

The High Commissioner calls for “these convictions and sentences to be carefully reviewed by appellate courts against the international human rights obligations binding upon HKSAR. All cases not fully meeting these standards should be quashed.”

The statement concludes by reiterating the UN Human Rights Office, UN Special Procedures and UN human rights treaty bodies’ recommendation to the Hong Kong government to repeal the National Security Law, emphasising that “any national security legislation must remain clear in scope and definition, and only permit restrictions to human rights that are strictly necessary for a legitimate purpose, and proportionate.”

This follows other welcome responses from the UK government and the European Union External Action Service. Hong Kong Watch also condemned the sentences and urged the international community to robustly respond through issuing strong statements and imposing sanctions on those responsible.

In addition, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared British citizen Jimmy Lai to be “unlawfully and arbitrarily detained” ahead of the resumption of his trial tomorrow.

Anouk Wear, Research and Policy Advisor at Hong Kong Watch, said:

“It is not every day that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns a trial for violating international human rights law, and this marks a very dark landmark for the rule of law in Hong Kong.

The High Commissioner’s concerns should be seriously considered by UN member states, and Hong Kong authorities must be held accountable for their ongoing and egregious human rights violations.”