- Title: UN human rights commissioner condemns violence in Hong Kong
- Date: 5th October 2019
- Summary: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (OCTOBER 5, 2019) (REUTERS) UN HUMAN RIGHT HIGH COMMISSIONER MICHELLE BACHELET SEATED/PREPARING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE REPORTERS SITTING REPORTER ASKING QUESTION BACHELET LISTENING SIGN READING (English) "MICHELLE BACHELET, UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS" (SOUNDBITE) (English) UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, MICHELLE BACHELET SAYING: "We are troubled by the high levels of violence associated with some demonstrations that have been taking place in the past days, and also alarmed by the injuries to the police and protesters, including journalists and protesters shot by law enforcement officers. And I strongly condemn all acts of violence from all sides and I call all those responding to demonstrations and those engaged in protests to do so in a peaceful and non-violent way." REPORTER SITTING HANDS TYPING ON KEYBOARD (SOUNDBITE) (English) UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, MICHELLE BACHELET SAYING: "Because the use of violence cannot be condoned and those responsible should face due process. Also, we have called for an effective, prompt, independent and impartial investigation into acts of violence, including shootings. I reiterate my call on the Hong Kong authorities and the people of Hong Kong to engage in genuine and transparent dialogue that can contribute to a meaningful and better outcome to this situation. I think that is the only way to enable consensus and rebuild confidence and trust. NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING VARIOUS OF REPORTER SITTING/TAKING VIDEO WITH MOBILE PHONE (SOUNDBITE) (English) UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, MICHELLE BACHELET SAYING: "Ban of face coverings during assemblies are in some circumstances used to target particular groups and improperly curtail the freedom of expression or peaceful assembly. So freedom of peaceful assembly should be enjoyed without restriction to the greater extent possible, but on the other hand, we cannot accept people who use masks to provoke violence. That is also not acceptable." VARIOUS OF REPORTERS SITTING/LISTENING TO NEWS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PHOTOS BACHELET SEEN ON MOBILE PHONE SCREEN END OF NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 19th October 2019 10:26
- Keywords: news conference Unnited Nations Michelle Bachelet high commissioner masks Hong Kong emergency law Malaysia UN
- Location: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
- City: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Government/Politics,United Nations
- Reuters ID: LVA001AZTJFWN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The United Nations human rights chief called on Saturday (October 5) for an independent probe into the violence during anti-government protests in Hong Kong, saying the injuries were alarming.
Two teenage protesters were shot while a journalist was permanently blinded in one eye in the past week during the worst outbreak of violence after four months of unrest in the Chinese-ruled city.
"We are troubled by the high levels of violence associated with some demonstrations... and also alarmed by the injuries to the police and protesters, including journalists and protesters shot by law enforcement officers," U.N. High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet told a media conference in the Malaysian capital.
Hong Kong should immediately carry out an "effective, prompt, independent and impartial investigation" into acts of violence including the shootings, Bachelet said, adding that those responsible must face due process.
"I strongly condemn all acts of violence from all sides and I call all those responding to demonstrations and those engaged in protests to do so in a peaceful and non-violent way," she said.
Hong Kong authorities imposed a ban on face masks on Saturday, a day after embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked colonial-era emergency powers in a bid to stem the violence.
In response to the ban, Bachelet said face masks should not be used to provoke violence but warned Hong Kong against using the ban to target particular groups or curtail the right to freedom of assembly.
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