Beijing slams foreign ‘interference’, ‘malicious slander’ after UN rights experts’ letter of concern on Hong Kong national security law

Foreign ministry says letter, which cited ‘curtailment’ of freedom of expression and interference with civil society, politicises human rights issues

The missive was signed by six UN special rapporteurs and the vice-chair of the international body’s working group on arbitrary detention

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A police officer raises a flag warning protesters they could be in violation of the new national security law in Causeway Bay on July 1. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 1:07pm, 4 Sep 2020Updated: 12:22am, 5 Sep 2020

Beijing has hit out at foreign “interference and malicious slander” after a group of UN human rights experts wrote to express concern that Hong Kong’s new national security law could infringe on certain fundamental freedoms.

In a press conference on Friday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the central government strongly opposed “the politicisation of human rights issues”.

“Some people have ignored facts, maliciously slandered China’s human rights situation, and publicly politicised human rights issues,” she said.

“We urge them to truly respect the objectives and principles of the UN Charter, and abandon ignorance, prejudice and double standards. [They must] stop interfering with Hong Kong affairs, and China’s domestic issues through any means.”

Hua was referring to a 14-page letter, which became public on Friday, sent to the Chinese government on September 1 by six special rapporteurs of the UN – including Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, an expert on the protection of freedoms while countering terrorism – and the vice-chair of the UN’s working group on arbitrary detention.