U.N. urges Hong Kong to use restraint, investigate excessive force against protesters
Record ID:
1427000
U.N. urges Hong Kong to use restraint, investigate excessive force against protesters
- Title: U.N. urges Hong Kong to use restraint, investigate excessive force against protesters
- Date: 13th August 2019
- Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (AUGUST 13, 2019) (REUTERS) U.N. BRIEFING ONGOING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY (OHCHR) SPOKESMAN, RUPERT COLVILLE, SAYING: "The High Commissioner (for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet) is concerned by the ongoing events in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the escalation of violence that has taken place in recent days." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY (OHCHR) SPOKESMAN, RUPERT COLVILLE, SAYING: "OHCHR has reviewed credible evidence of law enforcement officials employing less lethal weapons in ways that are prohibited by international norms and standards. For example, officials can be seen firing tear gas canisters into crowded and closed areas and directly at individual protesters on multiple occasions, creating a considerable risk of death or serious injury. We urge the Hong Kong authorities to investigate these incidents immediately, to ensure security personnel comply with the rules of engagement, and, when necessary, amend the rules of engagement for law enforcement officials in response to protests." U.N. STAFF AND JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY (OHCHR) SPOKESMAN, RUPERT COLVILLE, SAYING: "It is not easy, and we are not saying it is easy, but nevertheless they (law enforcement officials) have to avoid excesses. Otherwise, they just make the situation worse. You make the people angrier because of an excessive reaction, and then there is more protest, and then there is more reaction, and so on and so forth. So, you risk really a vicious circle of rising violence and tension." U.N. STAFF AND JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY (OHCHR) SPOKESMAN, RUPERT COLVILLE, SAYING: "The office urges the Hong Kong authorities to act with restraint, to ensure that the rights of those who are expressing their views peacefully are respected and protected, while ensuring that the response by law enforcement officials to any violence that may take place is proportionate and in conformity with international standards on the use of force, including the principles of necessity and proportionality." U.N. LOGO
- Embargoed: 27th August 2019 11:46
- Keywords: Hong Kong protests China Geneva United Nations human rights excessive force police tear gas
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA / GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA / GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- Country: France
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA003AS1X45J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urged Hong Kong authorities on Tuesday (August 13) to exercise restraint and investigate evidence of its forces firing tear gas at protesters in ways banned by international law.
"Officials can be seen firing tear gas canisters into crowded, enclosed areas and directly at individual protesters on multiple occasions, creating a considerable risk of death or serious injury," Bachelet said in a statement read by spokesman Rupert Colville during a news briefing.
Bachelet's office "urges the Hong Kong authorities to act with restraint, to ensure that the rights of those who are expressing their views peacefully are respected and protected, while ensuring that the response by law enforcement officials to any violence that may take place is proportionate," she said.
Colville conceded that security forces in the former British colony were sometimes in a difficult situation. "We are not saying it is easy, but nevertheless they have to avoid excesses, otherwise they can just make the situation worse ... You risk really a vicious circle of rising violence and tension."
A state of "panic and chaos" exists in Hong Kong, the city's embattled leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday, defying calls to quit as the stock market tumbled, airlines flagged further flight disruptions and anti-government protesters filled the airport.
China's comments about "sprouts of terrorism" emerging in Hong Kong were not helpful and risked inflaming the situation, Colville said.
(Production: Marina Depetris, Ardee Napolitano) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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