China hits back at Michelle Bachelet, UN human rights chief who called for probe into Hong Kong police’s response to anti-government protests
- Michelle Bachelet’s article, published in the Post, will ‘only encourage protesters to use more radical violence’
- Mission to the UN reaffirms support for city leader Carrie Lam
China has hit back at the UN high commissioner for human rights for backing an independent investigation into alleged police brutality during Hong Kong’s recent anti-government protests, accusing her of inflaming “radical violence”.
In the article, Bachelet urged the Hong Kong government to hold an “independent and impartial judge-led investigation” into police conduct at protests as part of confidence-building measures. She said the administration led by Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor needed to prioritise “meaningful, inclusive” dialogue to resolve the social unrest, now in its sixth month.
“It is now time to listen directly to people from all walks of life, to work together with sincere resolve to address their concerns and grievances. Young people, especially, need to be heard,” the former Chilean president wrote.
However, Chen emphasised that China “strongly opposed” Bachelet’s article, saying she had interfered in the internal affairs of China and would only encourage protesters to use more radical violence.
“The article of the high commissioner, which interferes in the internal affairs of China, and exerts pressure on the government and police of the Hong Kong SAR, will only embolden the rioters to conduct more severe radical violence,” he said.