STATEMENT: The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) demands the UN Human Rights Commissioner to ask Beijing, ‘if clapping is seditious?’ during visit to China in May
Friday 8th April - UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet is set to make a long-delayed visit to China in May with Xinjiang expected to be a major focus of her trip, following the Uyghur Tribunal determining that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has committed genocide against the Uyghur people. CFHK is calling on Bachelet to stand strong and confront head-on Beijing’s oppressive and autocratic activities in Xinjiang, but also in Hong Kong and against Hong Kongers worldwide.
The erosion and crackdown of freedoms in Hong Kong has increased in recent years, with the government brazenly using the National Security Law to prosecute political activists, journalists, and authors. Just this week, six people were arrested after applauding during a trial in a Hong Kong court. They were not charged with contempt of court, but with sedition. Charged with sedition for simply clapping in court. Clapping is not a crime, something the Commissioner must state clearly to Beijing.
Ludicrous examples such as this make plain how the rule of law has been abused and distorted in Hong Kong since the implementation of the National Security Law.
President of the CFHK, Mark L. Clifford, said:
“The UN Human Rights Commissioner’s visit to China comes at a crucial time for Hong Kong. Not only are we witnessing an increase in the use of the National Security Law to crackdown on democracy, but Hong Kong is due to have a new leader in the coming months.
“Michelle Bachelet must not allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to use her visit as a propaganda opportunity to whitewash its ongoing crimes against humanity. Instead, the Commissioner should use it as an opportunity to flagthe egregious human rights abuses the CCP is committing both at home and abroad.
“We demand Michelle Bachelet to address the ongoing situation in Hong Kong with Beijing, including the shutdown of pro-democracy outlets, and the number of political prisoners detained in the city. Beijing must be held accountable.
“To you, Commissioner, we ask, how can the National Security Law be used to charge peaceful spectators in a court room. These brave Hong Kongers held under spurious charges have human rights too. They are counting on you.”
The erosion and crackdown of freedoms in Hong Kong has increased in recent years, with the government brazenly using the National Security Law to prosecute political activists, journalists, and authors. Just this week, six people were arrested after applauding during a trial in a Hong Kong court. They were not charged with contempt of court, but with sedition. Charged with sedition for simply clapping in court. Clapping is not a crime, something the Commissioner must state clearly to Beijing.
Ludicrous examples such as this make plain how the rule of law has been abused and distorted in Hong Kong since the implementation of the National Security Law.
President of the CFHK, Mark L. Clifford, said:
“The UN Human Rights Commissioner’s visit to China comes at a crucial time for Hong Kong. Not only are we witnessing an increase in the use of the National Security Law to crackdown on democracy, but Hong Kong is due to have a new leader in the coming months.
“Michelle Bachelet must not allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to use her visit as a propaganda opportunity to whitewash its ongoing crimes against humanity. Instead, the Commissioner should use it as an opportunity to flagthe egregious human rights abuses the CCP is committing both at home and abroad.
“We demand Michelle Bachelet to address the ongoing situation in Hong Kong with Beijing, including the shutdown of pro-democracy outlets, and the number of political prisoners detained in the city. Beijing must be held accountable.
“To you, Commissioner, we ask, how can the National Security Law be used to charge peaceful spectators in a court room. These brave Hong Kongers held under spurious charges have human rights too. They are counting on you.”
About CFHK
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk