The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today strongly disapproved of and rejected the unfounded and biased content related to Hong Kong contained in the US Department of State's so-called 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it strongly disapproves of and rejects the US' repeated tactics through the so-called report in making slandering remarks against Hong Kong, where “one country, two systems” is successfully implemented.

It pointed out that the US is once again overriding the rule of law with politics and politicising human rights issues, adding that such attempts to interfere in Hong Kong's law-based governance and undermine the city’s prosperity and stability are doomed to fail.

The statement noted that since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the human rights of Hong Kong residents have been firmly protected by the Constitution and the Basic Law.

The Hong Kong SAR Government resolutely, fully and faithfully implements the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL), the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, to effectively prevent, suppress and impose punishment for acts and activities endangering national security in accordance with the law, whilst maintaining the common law system, adhering to the principle of the rule of law and upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of the principle of “one country, two systems”.

The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly demands the US to immediately stop acting against international law and the basic norms of international relations and interfering in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs.

On legislation safeguarding national security, the statement pointed out that the content regarding legislation safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR contained in the so-called report by the US is completely absurd and untrue.

Since the implementation of the HKNSL in June 2020, the US has all along ignored the large-scale and incessant riots that occurred in 2019 which devastated society, the livelihood and economy of Hong Kong.

Instead, it built up false stories and fabricated narratives through various so-called reports to maliciously slander legislation safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, and blatantly attack the city in safeguarding national security dutifully, faithfully and in accordance with the law.

The statement added that the US has also deliberately neglected the fact that such laws have enabled the livelihood and economic activities of the Hong Kong community as well as the business environment, to return to normalcy.

The Hong Kong SAR Government considered the US’ bullying conduct and hypocrisy laced with double standards as utterly despicable.

The statement also noted that the legal framework in safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR is consistent with the relevant international human rights standards. The HKNSL and the SNSO clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security.

The rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights as applied to the Hong Kong SAR are to be protected in accordance with the law.

The statement emphasised that the offences endangering national security stipulated by the HKNSL and the SNSO target acts endangering national security with precision, and define the elements and penalties of the offences with clarity.

The prosecution has the burden to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant has the actus reus and mens rea of an offence before the defendant may be convicted by the court.

Moreover, the relevant offences do not have retrospective effect, which is in line with Article 12 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights.

The Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out that each and every sovereign state enacts laws safeguarding national security, adding that it is not only their inherent right, but also an international practice.

It also said the US has at least 21 pieces of law safeguarding national security and it is therefore in no position to point the finger at other countries and regions for legitimately legislating to safeguard national security.

The statement also outlined issues regarding the Hong Kong SAR’s enforcement actions, bail arrangement, safeguarding the due administration of justice and the rule of law and the conditions of correctional services facilities.

Regarding the false information regarding the deportation policy in the US’ so-called report, the Hong Kong SAR Government said it maintains a firm policy of not granting asylum and not determining or recognising the refugee status of any person.

A Unified Screening Mechanism (USM) has been put in place to screen non-refoulement claims on all applicable grounds in one go. The procedures of the USM meet the high standards of fairness as required by law and compare most favourably with those adopted in other common law jurisdictions. Each non-refoulement claimant is also provided with publicly-funded legal assistance.

The Hong Kong SAR Government reiterated that the city steadfastly safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and fully and faithfully lives up to this top priority of “one country, two systems”.

With strong support from the motherland, and as the only city where the global advantage and the China advantage converge under “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong will continue to protect and promote human rights through security, development and co-operation as well as tell good stories of the Hong Kong SAR's human rights situation in a reasoned and robust manner.