UN Human Rights Committee to discuss universal suffrage in Hong Kong

The United Nations Human Rights Committee is to look into universal suffrage in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post has learnt.

The international body – which monitors civil and political rights across the world – will meet as the local government launches a second round of consultation based on a restrictive reform framework imposed by Beijing for the 2017 chief executive election.

The open session of the UNHRC is tentatively scheduled for October 23. Members will discuss whether a select group of regions - including Hong Kong - have complied with previous recommendations.

Law Yuk-kai, director of Human Rights Monitor, says he will write to the Human Rights Committee in Geneva to explain why the recent universal suffrage model laid down by the national legislature is unacceptable.

"The model is a gross violation of our political rights," he said. "It flies in the face of the committee's earlier recommendations."

Referring to a statement released by the UK Foreign Office last week that "welcomed" China's objective in the elections, he added: "The British government has given a shameful response on the issue. I hope the committee will pay attention."