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GENEVA, Sept. 16, 2019 – The UN Human Rights Council, where China, Cuba and Saudi Arabia are members, chastised Hong Kong lawmaker Tanya Chan after her testimony today (see full remarks below) on police brutality against protesters, with the session chair saying her remarks fell outside the framework of the agenda item on “promotion and protection of all human rights.”
“I would like to appeal to the speaker to frame the statement within the context of the agenda item strictly,” said Carlos Mario Foradori, vice-president of the 47-nation body and ambassador of Argentina, who chaired this morning’s debate.
Human rights activists were alarmed by the council reaction. “On the contrary, nothing could be more pressing or fitting for the council debate than Ms. Chan’s eyewitness testimony of police brutality against Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters, journalists and regular citizens,” said Hillel Neuer, executive director of the non-governmental human rights group UN Watch, which invited Ms. Chan to speak.
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Testimony of Hon. Tanya Chan, delivered on behalf of United Nations Watch.
Mr. President,
I am Tanya Chan, speaking as a Hong Kong legislator, activist and lawyer.
Hong Kong is on the verge of a humanitarian crisis, as police brutality against supporters of the democratic movement escalates.
Arrested protesters face physical abuse and humiliation by the police. A female protester openly spoke of an unnecessary and degrading strip search she went through. More sexual abuse cases remain unreported. Detained protesters were denied timely access to medical and legal assistance.
Use of force is excessive and indiscriminate. The police shot a beanbag round at a first-aider and blinded one of her eyes. The riot police attacked innocent subway passengers whom they claimed were rioters in disguise. As of now the police has fired more than 2000 tear gas cans.
The police call protesters “cockroaches”. Brutal crackdowns and pre-emptive violence against them are hence regarded as acceptable pest control to curb free speech.
Today marks the one-hundredth day of the movement, but there is no sign the police will exercise restraint. This is a result of the lack of democracy in Hong Kong, as the government is not held accountable for its endorsement of police abuse.
Will the High Commissioner [Michelle Bachelet] support our appeal for this Council to convene an urgent session and establish a Commission of Inquiry, to ensure human rights for the people of Hong Kong?
Why is China sitting here as a member of this Human Rights Council?
Thank you.
https://twitter.com/officialHKIBC/status/1173585088518320129
.@Reuters: China wrote to the UN this weekend urging them not to accredit our guest speaker, Hong Kong lawmaker Tanya Chan, calling her a “convicted criminal,” in connection with her 2014 Umbrella Protest advocacy. https://t.co/bAvF9o9kDC
By @StephNebehay. Photo: @denisbalibouse. pic.twitter.com/OQ4HN56tzj— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) September 16, 2019
Rebuke of Ms. Chan by @UN_HRC Vice-President Carlos Mario Foradori:
“I would like to appeal to the speaker to frame the statement within the context of the agenda item strictly.”
(Note: The agenda item was No. 3: "Promotion and protection of all human rights…") pic.twitter.com/q2Ab1Vlygo
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) September 16, 2019
No joke: U.N. Human Rights Council rebukes #HongKong MP for speaking outside the "context of the agenda item" after she tells of police brutality against pro-democracy protesters, under the UNHRC's Agenda Item #3 on "Promotion & protection of all human rights, civil & political." pic.twitter.com/yFiSAxKDbB
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) September 16, 2019
