Hanscom Smith

Human rights are universal, which is why the United States stands with Hong Kong

The Human Rights and Democracy Act is an extension of the Hong Kong Policy Act, the basis of the US approach since 1992. The US believes human rights are universal, and has a long-standing policy that China should honour its agreements on Hong Kong

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Hong Kong protesters hold a rally from Chater Garden in Central to the US Consulate on December 1, in appreciation of the US passage of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. Photo: Winson Wong

Hanscom Smith

Published: 6:00am, 10 Dec 2019Updated: 6:00am, 10 Dec 2019

International Human Rights Day is a chance to reflect on those core principles and values to which 193 nations have committed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They committed to preserving ideals such as the right of freedom from torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, the right to freedom of religion or belief, or the right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

Under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, every human being in the world can claim these as their own birthright, no matter their citizenship or allegiance.

The word “universal” in the declaration’s title was a purposeful choice, showing that it was the product of consensus among a wide cross-section of global rights traditions.

The declaration’s diverse group of drafters found a common purpose in the universal rights they outlined. They understood that the nations of the world had a duty to one another to stand up for human dignity and protect the human rights to which every person is entitled.

Sadly, not all nations respect their commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Chinese government, for example, has forced more than 1 million Uygurs and members of other Muslim minority groups into internment camps in Xinjiang since 2017, demolished numerous Christian churches and has repressed the religion and culture of Tibet for decades.

This repression stands in stark contrast to the fundamental freedoms that the people of Hong Kong have historically enjoyed under the “one country, two systems” framework; however, these are increasingly under threat.