HK SECURITY LAW BREACHES CITY’S FREEDOMS: UN

Geneva, Sept. 4: China’s national security law for Hong Kong poses a serious risk to the city’s freedoms and breaches international legal obligations, UN special rapporteurs on human rights have warned.

Beijing has faced a barrage of criticism over the law, which was imposed in late June after pro- democracy protests rocked the semi- autonomous city last year.

The law, which criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces, carries a maximum life sentence and has intimidated many protesters into silence.

In a letter made public on Friday, the UN advisers warned parts of the legislation “appear to criminalise freedom of expression or any form of criticism” of China.

“The National Security Law... poses a serious risk that those fundamental freedoms and due process protections may be infringed upon,” the rapporteurs said.

The letter warned the legislation may “impinge impermissibly on the rights to freedom of opinion, expression and of peaceful assembly.” The rapporteurs urged China's “reconsideration” of the legislation and for a fully independent reviewer to be appointed to ensure it complies with China’s international human rights obligations.

They also expressed concern over one of the most controversial points of the law — which allows cases can be transferred from the jurisdiction of Hong Kong to mainland China — and warned it could undermine the right to a fair trial.