2020 national security law put Hong Kong ‘back on track’, city’s No 2 official tells UN human rights review in Geneva

Eric Chan tells review by UN Human Rights Council that the Beijing-imposed legislation means ‘days of social disturbance and fear are now over’

But several countries and human rights groups criticise legislation and call for it to be ditched

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Hong Kong’s No 2 official Eric Chan has defended the city’s national security law at a UN Human Rights Council review of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau in Geneva. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:57pm, 23 Jan 2024Updated: 7:02am, 24 Jan 2024

Top Hong Kong and mainland Chinese officials have defended the city’s national security law at a major UN review of the nation’s human rights record and hit out at some Western countries for their “misconceptions” after they called for a repeal of the Beijing-imposed legislation.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, the city’s No 2 official, speaking in Geneva on Tuesday as part of China’s fourth universal periodic review by the UN Human Rights Council, said the security legislation had put Hong Kong “back on track”, despite a barrage of criticism from Western nations and organisations.

“With the implementation of the Hong Kong national security law and an improved electoral system, the days of social disturbance and fear are now over,” Chan said in his opening remarks.

“Stability as well as law and order has been restored, and our city is back on track.

“Our people can continue to enjoy the legitimate rights and freedoms guaranteed by our country’s constitution, the Basic Law [the city’s mini-constitution], as well as the relevant provisions of international covenants that apply to Hong Kong.”

(Second left) Chief Secretary Eric Chan, the city’s No 2 official, at the periodic review working group of the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva. Photo: Handout

The national security law, imposed by Beijing on the city in June 2020 after months of anti-government protests, was designed to penalise acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with a maximum penalty of life in prison.

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