media@ohchr.org
Spokesperson
for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
Rupert Colville
Location:
Geneva
Subject: Hong
Kong, China
The High
Commissioner is concerned by the ongoing events in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) and the escalation of violence that has
taken place in recent days.
The High
Commissioner condemns any form of violence or destruction of property and urges
everyone participating in the demonstrations to express their views in a
peaceful way. She notes the Chief Executive’s commitment to “engage as widely
as possible” and to “listen to the grievances of the people of Hong Kong.” She
calls on the authorities and the people of Hong Kong to engage in an open and
inclusive dialogue aimed at resolving all issues peacefully. This is the only
sure way to achieve long-term political stability and public security by
creating channels for people to participate in public affairs and decisions
affecting their lives.
The rights of
freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and the right to participate in
public affairs are expressly recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
which is incorporated in the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR.
The UN Human
Rights Office has reviewed credible evidence of law enforcement officials
employing less-lethal weapons in ways that are prohibited by international
norms and standards. For example, officials can be seen firing tear gas
canisters into crowded, enclosed areas and directly at individual protesters on
multiple occasions, creating a considerable risk of death or serious injury.
The Office would urge the Hong Kong SAR authorities to investigate these
incidents immediately, to ensure security personnel comply with the rules of
engagement, and where necessary, amend the rules of engagement for law
enforcement officials in response to protests where these may not conform with
international standards.
The Office
urges the Hong Kong SAR authorities to act with restraint, to ensure that the
right of those who are expressing their views peacefully are respected and
protected, while ensuring that the response by law enforcement officials to any
violence that may take place is proportionate and in conformity with
international standards on the use of force, including the principles of
necessity and proportionality.
ENDS
For more
information and media requests, please contact: Rupert Colville - + 41 22 917
9767 / rcolville@ohchr.org or Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 /
rshamdasani@ohchr.org
Ravina
Shamdasani
Deputy
Spokesperson
UN Human
Rights Office
E-mail:
rshamdasani@ohchr.org
Tel: +41 22
917 9169
Mobile: +41 79
201 0115
Web:
www.ohchr.org
Twitter:
UNHumanRights
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70th
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