Untrue remarks on HK based on misconceptions: CS

Chief Secretary Eric Chan has hit back against “unfounded and untrue” remarks about Hong Kong by some delegates at a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, saying concerns about human rights in the SAR stem from "misconceptions and a lack of understanding" about what was happening in the territory. Chan attended a meeting of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as deputy head of China’s delegation, as members examined a report submitted by China which included a section on Hong Kong. Delegates from several countries had expressed various concerns about the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, as well as the freedom of the press here. In response, Chan stressed that the National Security Law was enacted to tackle widespread violence in 2019, where radicals advocating Hong Kong independence had "jeopardised our nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests." He noted that the law – which clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security, had restored stability and security to the territory. "No country will watch with folded arms in the face of acts and activities that endanger national security," Chan said. He also stressed that fundamental rights and freedoms, such as freedom of the press, are guaranteed by the Basic Law at the constitutional level. "Article 4 of the Hong Kong National Security Law clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. Any measures or enforcement actions taken under the Hong Kong National Security Law must observe this principle," he said. The Chief Secretary also spoke out against calls by some western nations to free former media mogul Jimmy Lai, who is on trial for alleged national security offences. Without referring to Lai by name, Chan stressed that it was "inappropriate to comment on, or interfere with, the ongoing legal proceedings which were mentioned today." "Judges decide national security cases independently in accordance with the law. The suggestion that certain individuals or groups should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special pass to break the law. This totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law," Chan stressed.