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FIDH-HRIC Joint Statement on Hong Kong at the UN Human Rights Council 48th Session

September 15, 2021

Joint Statement of
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) & Human Rights in China (HRIC)

UN Human Rights Council 48th Session
Item 2 – General Debate

Delivered by Mi Ling Tsui
Communications Director, Human Rights in China

Video (00:57:25-00:58:55)

FIDH and its member organization HRIC urge the Council and its member states to take urgent actions to address the alarming deterioration of rights and freedoms in the Hong Kong SAR, China.

Invoking the broad and vague subversion and collusion provisions of the National Security Law passed in June 2020, the SAR authorities have cracked down on democracy and union activists, lawyers, teachers, and journalists—all engaged in peaceful exercise of protected rights. They have undermined press freedom by forcing the closure of the pro-democracy Apple Daily, and by purging the contents and staff of the public broadcaster, RTHK. They have replaced critical thinking in high schools with contents to foster obedience to China. They have forced the disbandment of trade unions and civil society groups, including the Civil Human Rights Front, the organizer of peaceful protests. They have arrested leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance, the organizer of annual commemorations of June Fourth victims. 

We urge the Council to consider the concrete recommendations advanced by UN experts and diverse civil society groups, including the establishment of a special mechanism or country mission to monitor and ensure that rights provided under international law, the ICCPR, the ICESCR, as well as the National Security Law itself—are fully and effectively respected, promoted, and protected.