Letters | Three ways Hong Kong can respond to UN human rights concerns: the world is watching
- Regardless of how many rankings the administration cites, concerns with Hong Kong’s trajectory continue to grow
- The UPR recommendations on Hong Kong cover migrant domestic worker rights, children’s rights, political rights and more. Doing nothing is not an option
On March 15, China accepted five out of six of the UPR recommendations on Hong Kong. The Hong Kong UPR Coalition, an alliance of 45 civil society organisations, has welcomed this development.
The coalition has been at the centre of UPR engagement on Hong Kong over the last two years. We believe in constructive engagement rather than just criticism, which is why we have developed the following proposals in response:
- a cross-sector UPR advisory group with civil society and government representatives to monitor and implement the recommendations;
- a database of human rights treaty body and UPR recommendations to improve the accountability of government responses to UN human rights mechanisms; and
- reforms to improve the government’s treaty body and UPR consultation methods, including making all draft reports available for public consultation.
These proposals come from our observation that “established practice”, which the government regularly refers to, is not working.
To ensure that Hong Kong is an inclusive and fair city, of the sort that the chief executive wants to build, then genuine civil society engagement must be at the centre of policy and legislative development.
Responding constructively to the UPR outcomes, including at the upcoming Panel on Constitutional Affairs meeting on April 15, provides a chance to do just that.
Simon Henderson, spokesperson, Hong Kong UPR Coalition, and senior policy adviser, Justice Centre Hong Kong