UN calls for release of those ‘arbitrarily detained’ under Hong Kong national security laws

Hong Kong Free Press

The UN rights chief on Friday decried the use of controversial national security laws in Hong Kong to among other things convict democracy advocates and demanded the release of all those “arbitrarily detained”.

united nations — The United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Wikicommons.

“I reiterate my call to release immediately and unconditionally all those arbitrarily arrested and detained under these laws,” Volker Turk said in a statement.

His comment came after a Hong Kong court on Thursday convicted 14 people for organising an unofficial election in 2021 with the goal of paralysing the government. Two defendants were acquitted.

The verdicts were handed down under a national security law that China imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 after the city saw huge and sometimes violent democracy protests.

“My Office and other UN human rights experts have raised repeated concerns that this legislation does not comply with China’s obligations under international human rights law,” Turk said.

Barrister Lawrence Lau waves his hands outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building after Hong Kong’s Department of Justice announced it intends to appeal his acquittal, on May 30, 2024. — Barrister Lawrence Lau outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building after Hong Kong’s Department of Justice announced it intends to appeal his acquittal, on May 30, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

“This legislation should be repealed and, in the meantime, not applied,” he insisted.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also highlighted the situation of seven people who are facing charges under a new national security ordinance passed in Hong Kong in March this year.

It includes penalties of up to life imprisonment for five categories of crimes including treason, insurrection, and external interference.

“Any law on national security needs to be clear in scope and definition, and only permit restrictions on human rights that are strictly necessary and proportionate,” Turk insisted.

“I have already expressed concerns that the broad and vague provisions could be arbitrarily applied to curb freedom of expression and target dissenting voices, civil society actors and human rights defenders.”

Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team