Tell UN of ‘thwarted’ universal suffrage goals and ‘retrogression’ in Hongkongers’ political rights, Bar Association urges government
Influential lawyers’ group highlights nine areas where protection of human rights has fallen short, saying that should be reported to UN Human Rights Council
The Hong Kong government should tell the UN that its universal suffrage goal for residents has been “thwarted” and also explain how it intends to “address [their] political aspirations”, an influential lawyers’ group has said.
The Hong Kong Bar Association made these points in a 14-page paper addressed to the government, for its submission to the UN Human Rights Council’s “universal periodic review” of human rights situations around the world.
The association, the professional body for barristers, highlighted nine areas where the protection of human rights in the city had fallen short, with one of its examples being the “retrogression in the enjoyment of political rights” by residents.
In its last submission for the 2013 review, the government stated an “ultimate aim” for universal suffrage in electing both the city’s leader and its Legislative Council members, with this intended to apply to last year’s chief executive election.
But in August 2014, China’s top legislative body laid down a decision that only two to three candidates could be put up, by a nomination committee of 1,200 people.