UN Urges Repeal of Hong Kong Security Law by 27 Countries Including UK... South Korea Excluded

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] More than 20 Western countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, called on China on the 30th (local time) to repeal the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law).

According to a statement released by the British government, Julian Braithwaite, the UK Ambassador to Geneva, stated at the 44th United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council held at the UN Geneva Office that day, "We urge the Chinese and Hong Kong governments to reconsider the implementation of this law." The statement was supported by 27 countries, including European nations, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and Switzerland. South Korea was not included.

In his representative speech, Ambassador Braithwaite expressed concern that the Hong Kong Security Law undermines the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and clearly affects human rights. He added, "To ensure that the rights and freedoms long enjoyed by Hong Kong citizens are not infringed upon, Hong Kong citizens, relevant institutions, and judicial authorities must be allowed to intervene."

Furthermore, Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, demanded that the Chinese government allow meaningful access to the Xinjiang region, where widespread surveillance and arbitrary detention of residents have been reported. She also requested Bachelet to "regularly provide additional information on Hong Kong and Xinjiang to protect rights and freedoms guaranteed under international law."

Earlier, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China unanimously passed the Hong Kong Security Law, which defines four crimes: secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign forces, with 162 members present. Subsequently, Chinese President Xi Jinping signed the law, which came into effect at 11 p.m.