CHINA-RIGHTS China angrily rebuffs U.N. criticism of new security law

Record ID: 147844

  • Title: CHINA-RIGHTS China angrily rebuffs U.N. criticism of new security law
  • Date: 9th July 2015
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (JULY 9, 2015) (REUTERS) FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN, HUA CHUNYING, WALKING IN FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN, HUA CHUNYING, SAYING: "I've noticed the relevant report. The so-called statement by the U.N.'s senior expert that criticizing China's normal legitimate actions was an interference in Ch
  • Embargoed: 24th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9CCPTJXZ4KSQRHMIFI2Q5N3YV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: China accused the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights of being unprofessional and making baseless criticisms on Thursday (July 9) after he said a new national security law was too vague and potentially harmful to civil liberties.
    The remarks by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying reflects the deep resentment China has of outside criticism of its domestic policies, especially concerning security issues and human rights.
    China's legislature adopted a sweeping national security law last week that covers everything from territorial sovereignty to measures to tighten cyber security.
    On Tuesday (July 7), U.N. High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein said the law "raises many concerns due to its extraordinarily broad scope" and vagueness of terminology and definitions.
    Hua said his comments were an interference in China's internal affairs.
    "I've noticed the relevant report. The so-called statement by the U.N.'s senior expert that criticizing China's normal legitimate actions was an interference in China's internal affairs and exposes his unprofessionalism. We express our dissatisfaction and resolute opposition," she told a daily news briefing in Beijing.
    "So if you thoroughly and carefully read the relevant law, you can see that the U.N. High Commissioner's criticism that the law may limit citizens' rights and freedoms is gratuitous speculation which does not have a leg to stand on," she said.
    The law was designed to protect people's rights and freedoms, Hua added.
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