China Accuses UN Human Rights Chief Of ‘Gross Interference’

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet

Beijing: China has hit back strongly at United Nations for the remarks on Hong Kong’s national security law made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet.

“Bachelet’s comments grossly interfere in China’s sovereignty and internal affairs and violate the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,” says a statement released by China’s permanent mission to the UN office in Geneva on Friday.

The Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights has been urged to “respect and support China’s efforts in safeguarding national security” in Hong Kong and to refrain from intervening in the affairs of Hong Kong and China.

Bachelet had said that the draft law on national security for Hong Kong must fully comply with China’s human rights obligations and that her office was closely following developments, according to a report on the UN News website.

“Such laws can never be used to criminalize conduct and expression that is protected under international human rights law,” she said, adding that any law for Hong Kong must respect provisions of two international treaties – one on civil and political rights and another on economic, social and cultural rights.