The UN human rights watchdog may not fully understand the situation in Hong Kong because it is situated overseas, the home affairs minister said.
Patrick Ho Chi-ping made the remark in response to lawmakers' criticism of the government's reservations about introducing universal suffrage and other recommendations made by the UN Human Rights Committee over the years.
The watchdog will hold a hearing on March 20 in New York to consider the Hong Kong government's second report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights submitted last year.
Wrapping up a motion debate ahead of the hearing, Dr Ho said: 'We will not make hasty decisions for short-term applause ... The committee's views are well-intentioned. But they are so far away and may not have a deep understanding of our situation.'
The motion by Emily Lau Wai-hing urging the government to implement all recommendations that have been or will be made was eventually scuttled by functional constituency members by a vote of 16 to eight.
Of 18 lawmakers who spoke during the debate, all but two were democrats.