Hong Kong Watch Submission to UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights details that press freedom and cultural rights are under attack in Hong Kong

Yesterday, Hong Kong Watch made a submission to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for its review of China (Hong Kong) in the 73rd session detailing that press freedom and cultural rights are under attack in Hong Kong. The review will take place on 15-16 February 2023. 

Hong Kong Watch’s submission focuses on the violations of cultural rights and trade union rights since 2021, which was the last time that Hong Kong’s implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was reviewed by this Committee. 

Hong Kong Watch highlighted the institutionalised restrictions on media freedom in Hong Kong since 2021, including the results from surveys of journalists which reveal that the situation has drastically deteriorated in recent years, due to the National Security Law, the fake news law, and surveillance. Journalists have been attacked, harassed, and arrested under the National Security Law and the Sedition Law. 

Hong Kong Watch specifically included the cases of DJ Edmund Wan (“Giggs”), Jimmy Lai and Apple Daily, Stand News, and Citizen News. Hong Kong Watch also noted the threats that we have faced ourselves. These are clear examples of how the Hong Kong Government is systematically attacking media freedom and limiting the space for people to freely express themselves through a variety of means. 

Through restrictions on media freedom, the Hong Kong Government has not only violated the right of everyone to take part in cultural life, they have also systematically limited the freedom indispensable for future creative activity through these restrictions. This is also a violation of cultural rights, as there is not the freedom necessary to exercise them. These are violations of Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 

Trade Union Rights are important for cultural rights in the context of media freedom, as they ensure the rights of journalists and others to express themselves freely and have the necessary support network. By limiting the abilities of journalists and other trade unions in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong government is violating trade union rights, which is Article 8 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as cultural rights.

Anouk Wear, Research and Policy Advisor at Hong Kong Watch, commented that:

“Economic, social, and cultural rights are less tangible human rights, yet ones that are indivisible and equal to other human rights. They are absolutely essential for people in Hong Kong to enjoy their freedom to participate in public life and express themselves freely. These systematic attacks and restrictions are incredibly alarming and unacceptable human rights violations.”