United Nations human rights body takes aim at Hong Kong police over use of weapons
- Agency says city’s force is creating major risk of death or serious injury
- Authorities and public urged to engage in an ‘open and inclusive dialogue’
The UN Human Rights Office has accused Hong Kong police of defying international norms and standards in their use of weapons, creating “a considerable risk of death or serious injury”.
The unprecedented intervention by the Geneva-based United Nations body adds to international calls for Hong Kong to set up an independent investigation into the anti-government protests that have rocked the city for more than two months.
“The UN Human Rights Office has reviewed credible evidence of law enforcement officials employing less-lethal weapons in ways that are prohibited by international norms and standards,” office spokesman Rupert Colville said in a statement on Tuesday.
“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.”
The office urged the Hong Kong authorities to investigate the incidents immediately, “to ensure security personnel comply with the rules of engagement, and where necessary, amend the rules of engagement for law enforcement officials in response to protests where these may not conform with international standards”.
“All these types of in-theory ‘non-lethal weapons’ – tear gas, batons, rubber bullets and so on – have to be used in particular ways, and there are very clear guidelines on how they should be used,” Colville said.
