UN human rights chief is wrong about Hong Kong

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When United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk commented on recent developments in Hong Kong, his remarks were not only misguided but also out of step with the facts on the ground.

First of all, Turk’s portrayal of Hong Kong's governance — particularly in the wake of the tragic Tai Po fire and the subsequent law-enforcement actions — fails to take into account the city's swift and highly coordinated response. The reality is the Hong Kong government demonstrated both efficiency and accountability: it promptly mobilized relief operations, ensured that affected families received immediate assistance, and announced the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry chaired by a judge to investigate the incident thoroughly. This is a government committed to transparency and institutional rigor and dedicated to attending to its people's welfare.

Equally misinterpreted is the city's legal response to online posts surrounding the fire with seditious intention. These enforcement measures by Hong Kong police are grounded in Hong Kong's legal framework — a framework that, like those of many jurisdictions, prohibits the deliberate dissemination of harmful misinformation. In practical terms, the measures help ensure that relief efforts in the city continue in an orderly and effective manner.

Second, Turk's critique of Hong Kong's most recent Legislative Council (LegCo) election is also false. Far from what he called a backslide in "political pluralism," the election is a significant milestone in advancing high-quality democracy tailored to Hong Kong's realities.

The election combined integrity with innovation while ensuring that all sectors of Hong Kong society were adequately represented. The Hong Kong government organized the polling in a comprehensive, thorough, and law-based manner; candidates and their teams engaged in full-fledged, fair competition; voters turned out to cast ballots for candidates they trusted. All these reflected a vibrant democratic process. 

In fact, Hong Kong's improved electoral system, built on the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," created a more stable and constructive political environment. Just as no nation would allow those seeking its harm to hold public office, Hong Kong rightly ensures its administrators are committed to its success and stability under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. The result is that legislators are committed to public service, capable of policymaking, and prepared to govern responsibly.

Finally, it is essential to recognize that both the implementation of the National Security Law and the election in Hong Kong fall squarely within the realm of China's internal affairs.

National security legislation is a constitutional right of every sovereign state, and China, with Hong Kong as an inalienable part of it, is no exception. The National Security Law in Hong Kong has restored order after times of unrest and enabled the city to refocus on economic revitalization and social well-being. Likewise, the improved electoral system, with its broad representativeness, political inclusiveness, balanced participation, and fair competitiveness, ensures that democracy is better safeguarded and expressed through elections that are fairer, just, open, clean, and orderly.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday that China has lodged representations over the erroneous remarks made by Turk. The spokesperson also urged the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect the sovereignty of member states, perform its duties impartially and objectively, and avoid being exploited by politically motivated forces.

Insisting on framing China's internal affairs as "human rights issues" risks undermining the credibility of the UN's human rights mechanisms. The international community, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, should honestly and accurately acknowledge and support Hong Kong's journey of sustained stability and success under the rule of law.

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