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Hong KongPolitics

Hong Kong urged to review terrorism and sedition legislation after United Nations experts say they can be used against lawful protests

  • Legislation should be brought in line with international treaties that Hong Kong has signed up to, special rapporteurs say
  • Security officials look to terrorism laws after discovery of explosives and firearms amid the anti-government protests

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UN special rapporteurs have warned that some Hong Kong legislation threatens lawful protest, such as the likes of this police-approved rally held in January. Photo: SCMP
Alvin Lum

Human rights experts from the United Nations have urged the Hong Kong government to review its terrorism and sedition laws, describing their drafting as so broad they can be used to suppress lawful protests and other freedoms.

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In a letter to the Chinese delegation in Geneva last Thursday, which was made available to local rights groups on Tuesday, six special rapporteurs said the legislation should be brought in line with the international human rights treaties that apply to Hong Kong.

While the UN criticism did not mention any specific incidents or official comments, Hong Kong’s security officials have repeatedly warned of a rise of “local terrorism” after the discovery of explosives and firearms in different parts of the city and amid the anti-government protests that erupted in June last year.

Security minister John Lee Ka-chiu last week said anti-terrorism legislation could be used to prosecute those involved in the making of explosive devices.

City authorities are looking at using Hong Kong’s United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Ordinance, passed in 2004 in the wake of the September 11 attacks in the United States.

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