Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki (second left) attends the meeting of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan 26, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

HONG KONG – The Universal Periodic Review Working Group of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday adopted the fourth round review report, which includes a part on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, at a meeting in Geneva.

The working group met earlier on Jan 23 to examine China's fourth report submitted under the UNHRC Universal Periodic Review mechanism. 

China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Chen Xu, led the China delegation to the review while the HKSAR Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki took part as deputy head of the delegation.

China is ready to collaborate with the global community to steadfastly advance and safeguard human rights, Chen said after the adoption.

READ MORE: China delivered good performance in UN review, says diplomat

He also said China will play an active role in global human rights governance, advocate for common human values, support the establishment of a global community of shared future, and collaborate to create a better improved world.

The Hong Kong chief secretary responded in the meetings to comments and suggestions about the human rights situation in the HKSAR.

He returned to Hong Kong on Saturday after attending the working group meetings and meeting representatives of several international and local organizations during his visit to Switzerland, according to the government.

The suggestion that certain individuals or groups should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special pass to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law. Spokesman, HKSAR Govt.

Spokesman, HKSAR Govt

The review report will be presented to a plenary session of the UNHRC in due course. 

The HSAR government will continue to join the motherland in undertaking work under the review mechanism, and tell the international community good stories about the SAR’s human rights situation in a reasoned and robust manner, said Chan.

During the review, he stressed that Hong Kong people can continue to enjoy the legitimate rights and freedoms, which are guaranteed by the country’s Constitution, the Basic Law, and the relevant provisions of international covenants that apply to Hong Kong, a spokesman for the HKSAR government said in a statement on Saturday.

“In response to the smears during the review from a small number of countries about Hong Kong's safeguarding of national security, the CS sternly rebutted that no country will watch with folded arms in the face of acts and activities that endanger national security, and that it is the legitimate right and duty of every state to safeguard its national security, and to do so by enacting laws is in line with international practice.”

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The chief secretary also stressed that it is Hong Kong's constitutional responsibility to enact local legislation to safeguard national security; and that the enactment and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law has brought back stability, security, and the rights and freedoms that people in Hong Kong have been deprived of during the period of serious violence in 2019, added the spokesman.

The SAR government shall resolutely and fully implement the National Security Law and further strengthen the city’s legal system and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard national security to effectively prevent, suppress and punish activities that endanger national security, said the spokesman. 

“At the same time, it shall safeguard in accordance with the law the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people. The overarching goal is to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'.”

Regarding the ongoing legal proceedings raised at the UNHRC review meeting, Chan pointed out that the HKSAR judges decide cases independently in accordance with the law, and that no one should comment on or interfere with the proceedings. 

READ MORE: Chan sternly refutes unfounded remarks at UNHRC meeting

“The suggestion that certain individuals or groups should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special pass to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law,” said the spokesman.

Saying that the CS stressed at the review that Hong Kong resolutely safeguards the rule of law, the spokesman added: “The Judiciary in Hong Kong is well regarded internationally.”

With Xinhua inputs