Fifty-three countries expressed support for China’s new “national security” law, which restricts the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
“In any country, the legislative power on national security issues rests with the State, which in essence is not a human rights issue and therefore not subject to discussion at the Human Rights Council. We believe that every country has the right to safeguard its national security through legislation, and commend relevant steps taken for this purpose,” Cuba’s representative said in a Tuesday statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
The representative added, “We are convinced that this move is conducive to ensure ‘one country, two systems’ is steady and enduring and that Hong Kong enjoys long-term prosperity and stability. The legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents can also be better exercised in a safe environment. We reiterate that Hong Kong is an inseparable part of China, that Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs that brook no interference by foreign forces. We urge relevant sides to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs by using Hong Kong related issues.”
The final sentence was likely a reference to the United Kingdom’s assurance that it would provide a pathway to citizenship for Hong Kong residents who are considered British Nationals (Overseas) and the United States’s move to impose further sanctions on the nation.
The U.K. immediately followed with a statement of its own, backed by 26 other nations.
“We urge the Chinese and Hong Kong governments to reconsider the imposition of this legislation and to engage Hong Kong’s people, institutions, and judiciary to prevent further erosion of long-standing rights and freedoms,” said the U.K.’s representative.
Axios obtained the list of countries that supported the law and those that opposed it. The U.S. did not sign on to either statement. The office of U.N. Ambassador Kelly Craft did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
