Press Release

HKCHR releases “Hong Kong Human Rights Report 2023”

“We hold the belief that the people of Hong Kong persist in resisting authoritarian oppression, and that we all have incorporated this conviction into our daily lives, finding hope even within the constraints of oppression. This report aims not only to bear witness to the human rights issues in Hong Kong but also to document the ongoing resistance of Hong Kong people against authoritarianism.”

Hong Kong Centre For Human Rights Publishes A Report on District Council Election Documenting The Violations Of International Human Rights Standards

The 2023 District Council election (“Election”) was held on December 10, which is the first “patriot-only” election under revamped election system with only 19% of the seats were returned by direct election.

HKCHR published a report on the Election today, documenting in detail the violations of international human rights standards in the Election.

All Pro-Democracy Candidates Barred from Standing for District Council Election Unreasonable Thresholds Set in the Nomination Method of the Election Violating International Human Rights Law

“In recent years, the government has further tightened the power and democratic procedures of the remaining District Council elections. The HKCHR urges the Hong Kong and Chinese governments to fulfil their obligations under the ICCPR. We urge the immediate abolition of the non-compliant nomination and selection mechanisms, and advocate for the full universal suffrage for the District Councils, the Legislative Council and the Chief Executive, so as to safeguard the public’s right to participate in political affairs and their basic rights.”

Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights urges the Hong Kong government to fulfil its obligations under international human rights law

The Centre believes that the statement of the UN experts reflects that the Hong Kong government’s persistent abuse of the law to suppress human rights is of great concern to the international community. The mass trial and bounties placed against human rights defenders have further tarnish Hong Kong’s international image, causing Hong Kong to be boycotted by the international community that supports the rule of law, democracy and human rights.

Defending Human Rights is Not a Crime; Stop persecution against 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund and Human Rights Defenders

Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights urges the Hong Kong government to fulfil its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to stop harassing members and organisations of civil society. Hong Kong government should end the criminal investigation of the 612 Humanitarian Support Fund, and to drop all allegations and restrictions against those arrested.

Five UN Special Rapporteurs Issued Joint Communication Criticizing That Hong Kong’s Proposed Crowdfunding Law May Violate Human Rights

Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights finds that this joint communication reflects the UN human rights experts’ concern that the Hong Kong government is actively using legislative and administrative measures to stifle the civil society in Hong Kong; the analysis also reveals the purpose of such measures to be decapacitating civil society in Hong Kong. We urge the Hong Kong government to withdraw this legislative proposal immediately, and to review existing legislation for the purpose of creating and maintaining an enabling environment for the enjoyment of civil society organizations’ right to seek, receive and use resources.

UN Universal Periodic Review of Hong Kong to be held in January 2024 HKCHR made submission illustrating actual human rights situation in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights (“HKCHR”) made a submission regarding Hong Kong to the HRC on 18 July 2023. The submission focuses on the human rights situation in Hong Kong since the last UPR review (the third cycle) in 2018, consisting of 9 major human rights aspects, namely national security, police violence, rule of law, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right to political participation and immigration detention.

UN Working Group found Chow Hang-tung’s detention arbitrary; Urging HK government to release her immediately and revise National Security Law; HKCHR regrets government’s attempt to silence Working Group with criminal contempt

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (“Working Group”) issued an opinion (A/HRC/WGAD/2023/30) on 1 May 2023 (“Opinion”) concerning Chow Hang-tung, a Hong Kong human rights lawyer and former vice-chairperson of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (“Alliance”). The Working Group concluded that the deprivation of liberty of Chow is arbitrary detention.