Hong Kong

When asked to provide more context about who was particularly unlikely to enjoy their right to education in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• The government interferes with school curriculums to ensure that pro-Beijing content is taught

When asked to provide more context about who was particularly unlikely to enjoy their right to food in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• Asylum seekers do not have access to enough food
• People without secure immigration status do not have access to enough food
• People with disabilities do not have access to enough food
• Low-income people do not have access to enough food
• Non-refoulement claimants and asylum seekers have limited access to food because they are provided with limited food vouchers and much of the available food is not nutritious enough

When asked to provide more context about who was particularly unlikely to enjoy their right to health in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• Illegal immigrants held in detention facilities are not given proper medical attention
• People from ethnic minorities continue to face language barriers. Instructions for mandatory Covid-19 testing were only provided in Chinese and English, which led to migrant workers flying into Hong Kong to miss Covid-19 tests and face HK$10,000 fines.
• People who are poor or do not have a secure immigration status may not have access to healthcare

When asked to provide more context about who was particularly unlikely to enjoy their right to housing in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• Non-refoulement claimants receive very little in housing allowances, leaving many in destitute conditions
• People who are poor or do not have a secure immigration status may not have access to housing
• Domestic workers, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, are restricted in their ability to live on their own
• Asylum seekers and older people are facing issues with inadequate housing, leading to an increase in homelessness

When asked to provide more context about who was especially vulnerable to arbitrary or political arrest and detention by government agents in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• People who criticise the government or spread anti-government sentiment online
• Protesters and political prisoners are arrested and charged for offences related to protests, which the government labels as riots
• Non-political figures and ordinary citizens, particularly pro-democracy owners of small businesses, and supporters of political prisoners
• People, including minors, are arrested, charged, and convicted of secession-related crimes
• Trade union leaders, media executives, journalists, politicians, and political activists are at risk of being detained, arrested, and imprisoned under vague sedition or national security charges
• People engaging in political speech or activity, including nearly all members of the political opposition, face arrest and detention without bail
• Pro-democracy activists, human rights advocates, and members and supporters of the political opposition are at particular risk
• Followers of religions and beliefs that are deemed by the government to be sympathetic to the opposition, such as Falun Gong, the Catholic Church, and the Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese, face informal interrogation, harassment, state media criticism, and arrest

When asked to provide more context about who was especially vulnerable to disappearance by government agents in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• Political activists face forced informal interrogations and periods of disappearance
• There are reports of political dissidents being abducted from Hong Kong, smuggled to mainland China, and disappearing into the Chinese detention system

Expert respondents did not provide any specific information about who is especially vulnerable to violations of this right.

When asked to provide more context about who was especially vulnerable to extrajudicial killing by government agents in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• There are reports of protesters and supporters of anti-government protests being abducted and killed by security officials
• Activists opposing illegal extradition of people to mainland China

When asked to provide more context about who was especially vulnerable to restrictions on their rights to assembly and association by the government or its agents in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• The right to assembly is prohibited for any groups expressing opposition to the government's policies or official positions
• Public assemblies and protests were not approved by police on the pretext of Covid-19 control measures
• Dozens of trade unions have been banned for being sympathetic to the pro-democracy movement
• The government uses laws regarding the registration of legal entities to disband various civil society groups, organisations, and networks that embody democratic values
• The police reject applications to hold marches, protests, and public gatherings by using the threat of 'violent acts' as a pretext for denying the applications
• Student groups and academic organisations are particularly vulnerable to being disbanded, dismissed, or declared illegitimate by university authorities
• Professional associations such as the Law Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Bar Association, and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants face political interference or are stripped of their power to scrutinise professional qualifications
• Organisers and potential attendees of protests, marches, and other forms of public assembly face visits and threats by police as pressure to cancel all events
• Courts impose harsher sentences on individuals convicted of charges related to the organisation of or participation in peaceful assemblies

When asked to provide more context about who was especially vulnerable to restrictions on their rights to opinion and expression by government agents in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• Trade union leaders, media executives, journalists, politicians, and political activists are detained, arrested, and imprisoned under sedition charges related to Hong Kong's national security law for exercising their right to freedom of expression
• People who express viewpoints supporting the political opposition, including dissent expressed online, 'liking' posts on social media expressing dissent, or clapping for defendants in court, face arrest
• Members of organisations that work on various issues such as environmental issues or women's rights, as well as journalists and editors working at both local and international news organisations, expressed concern regarding the publishing of commentary that may be perceived as criticising the government due to how the government applies Hong Kong's national security law
• Some institutions, including schools, exhibition venues, charities, and social organisations, censor themselves to avoid accusations of criticising the government
• Human rights advocates and pro-democracy activists are arrested and charged with national security crimes
• Dozens of trade unions have been banned for being sympathetic to the pro-democracy movement
• Migrant workers and expatriates who are politically active are threatened with the cancellation of their work visas
• People who are held in detention facilities have their letters and books monitored and screened for anti-government views
• Journalists who attend protests to report on them are arrested, charged, and convicted of crimes relating to participation in illegal assembly and rioting
• Some student organisations are banned and student activists face harassment
• Teachers, civil servants, and professionals are required to sign declarations of commitment to uphold national security. Failure to do so or engagement in anti-government speech or activities leads to penalties and disqualification from their profession
• Public assemblies and protests were not approved by police on the pretext of Covid-19 control measures
• All citizens self-censor due to the use of informal questioning and interrogation as harassment tactics
• The government uses laws regarding the registration of legal entities to disband various civil society groups, organisations, and networks that embody democratic values
• Non-governmental organisation workers and journalists report being followed by national security police forces

When asked to provide more context about who was especially vulnerable to restrictions on their political participation by the government or its agents in 2022, our respondents mentioned all of the following:

• Non-governmental organisation workers and journalists report being followed by national security police forces
• Many members of civil society organisations report being contacted by people claiming to be affiliated with the Chinese government, the Hong Kong government, or the national security police
• Many members of the democratic opposition have been arrested for organising a primary election to select candidates to run in the Hong Kong Legislative Council elections
• The government passed laws changing the Hong Kong Legislative Council elections to ensure that opposition candidates would have virtually no chance of winning any seats. These laws restrict who can run and require that candidates be approved by civil servants and vetting committees to run in advance of the elections.
• Civil servants are required to vow their support for the government, and are removed from their positions or forced to resign if they refuse
• Anyone running in elections must first be deemed a 'patriot' by the government
• People who publicly express dissent towards government policies, such as Covid-19 control measures, are jailed on sedition charges
• Only pro-Beijing candidates can run for election as lawmakers