Hong Kong supporters of a tough national security law imposed by China's ruling Communist Party have set their sights on a United Nations session, drawing concern from rights advocates.
The law, which critics say Hong Kong authorities have used to crush dissent following massive 2019 protests, has been a focus at the U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights' two-day hearing on China that concludes Thursday in Geneva. The committee reviews respect of those rights in nearly all U.N. member states every few years.
The submission trend is concerning, Amnesty International researcher Kai Ong said, because the information from the reports is key to getting independent and on-the-ground observations on how human rights in Hong Kong are being protected or violated. But after Beijing imposed the law on the former British colony in 2020, the city's once vibrant civil society shrank drastically. Activists fled abroad or were jailed under the law. Unions and other independent organizations closed down. The United States imposed sanctions on officials it said were to blame for the abuses.
One of those positive responses came from Kam Man-fung, deputy secretary general at One Country Two Systems Youth Forum, a Hong Kong-based think tank seeking debate and dialoge between young people in the semi-autonomous city and the mainland. "I just want the world to understand my country and my birthplace more comprehensively," the pro-Beijing New People's Party member said. He said his report was entirely self-initiated.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hong Kong population drops for 3rd year under COVID shadowHong Kong's government announced Thursday that the territory's population dropped for a third straight year as deaths rose during the pandemic and anti-virus measures reduced the number of arriving workers, but did not mention an exodus of residents sparked by a crackdown on the pro-democracy movement.
Read more »
China's Xi Jinping expresses support for Iran amid Western pressureChinese leader Xi Jinping expressed support for Iran during a visit Tuesday by its president as Tehran tries to expand relations with Beijing and Moscow to offset Western sanctions over its nuclear development.
Read more »
Canada clamps down on military research as China concerns growCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government will stop funding projects affiliated with universities, institutes or labs connected to foreign military,…
Read more »
China retail investors from Gen-Z to retirees sit out stock rallyThey remain haunted by the regulatory purges, volatility and losses since 2021.
Read more »
Resurgent China will drive oil demand in 2023, but deficit could loom, IEA saysThe IEA sees oil demand rising by 2 million barrels per day in 2023, with China making up 900,000 bpd
Read more »
China accuses U.S. of flying balloons over Xinjiang and Tibet regions, warns of countermeasuresThe White House has disputed China’s allegations as the two countries are locked in a tussle over flying objects
Read more »