Press Release

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (“Committee”) finished its review sessions of human rights situations of Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China yesterday (12 May) in Hong Kong time. The Committee will issue the concluding observations later to elaborate the Committee’s concerns and recommendations for the three governments.

Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights (“HKCHR”) is very concerned about the accusations made by the Hong Kong government at the meeting and in previous press statements that civil society organizations (CSOs) have submitted false information to the Committee. It is an attempt to discredit civil society engagement. The Centre is also worried that CSOs will face reprisal from the government.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (“Committee”) will hold meetings tomorrow (12 May) at 4 p.m. (Hong Kong time) to discuss the human rights situations regarding women in Hong Kong and mainland China.

On 27 July 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (“Committee”) issued the concluding observations (“CO”) on Hong Kong’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (“ICCPR”), which elaborated the Committee’s observations and recommendations in detail.

Joe Wong and Denny To, former members of now-defunct Confederation of Trade Unions, earlier notified the police for holding a march on Labor Day (1 May). However, Wong suddenly withdrew the notification on 26 April. Although Wong did not publicly explain the reason for withdrawing the notice, To told the press that Wong disappeared from his home in the morning on 26 April; and after he regained his freedom in the afternoon, he had suffered an emotional breakdown, apparently under great pressure. To said that Wong could not disclose more details due to Article 63 of the National Security Law (“NSL”). Secretary for Security Chris Tang responded that cancelling a march was a responsible thing to do if anyone believed that they were incapable of making the march safe or orderly.

We express grave concern and regret that the Hong Kong government refuses to fulfill its positive duty under international human rights law and domestic laws to provide assistance and take measures to protect citizens’ right to freedom of assembly, which is a constitutional right guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (“Committee”) is going to review Hong Kong’s implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (“Convention”) on 12 May 2023. Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights (“HKCHR”) submitted a parallel report to the Committee yesterday (11 April) which illustrated the actual human rights situation in Hong Kong in detail.

We hope that the report could assist the Committee to understand the difficulties and threats faced by Hong Kong women when they are exercising their human rights. We urge the Committee to express concerns over the deteriorating human rights situations in Hong Kong, and demand the Hong Kong government to cease violating human rights and take remedial actions immediately.

On 6 March 2023, The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (“Committee”) issued the concluding observations (“CO”) on Hong Kong’s implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (“ICESCR”). The Committee’s observations are strong and clear, including concerns about reports that that the National Security Law (“NSL”) has de facto abolished the independence of the judiciary, and was used to undermine the academic freedom and the right to form trade unions.

The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (“Committee”) finished its review sessions of human rights situations of Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China yesterday in Hong Kong time. The Committee will issue the concluding observations on 6 March 2023 to elaborate the Committee’s concerns and recommendations for the three governments.

The Chinese delegation, comprised of 26 mainland Chinese officials, 10 Hong Kong officials and 3 Macau officials, have answered a number of questions raised by the Committee. However, the answers were mostly reiterating the official stances and denying all accusations, without admission of any violations of human rights or promises to improve.

The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (“Committee”) will hold meetings in Geneva from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 15 and 16 February 2023 (which is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. of the same day in Hong Kong time) to discuss the human rights situations of Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.

Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights (“HKCHR”) submitted a parallel report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (“Committee”) yesterday (16 January), which illustrated the actual human rights situation in Hong Kong in detail.