At least 160 individuals have been killed within the hearth on the court docket advanced in Wang Fung, Tai Po district, which was being renovated.
Mr Türk expressed solidarity with the victims and known as for civic area to be assured.
Responses and accountability
“In a tragic second like this, the area for dialogue and debate on problems with main public curiosity and concern is extra necessary than ever,” he stated.
“The individuals of Hong Kong understandably need solutions and accountability, in order that the a whole lot of victims are correctly compensated and such a tragedy doesn’t occur once more.”
Mr Türk famous that authorities have appointed an unbiased assessment fee and opened felony and anti-corruption investigations into the hearth – however have to this point didn’t appoint a fee of inquiry with full investigative powers.
They additionally provided assist applications for affected residents and introduced measures to take away hazardous supplies from building websites and assessment hearth security rules.
Calls for investigation
“I’m deeply involved by reviews that draconian homeland safety legal guidelines are getting used in opposition to individuals who have publicly known as for a clear and unbiased investigation, a assessment of constructing oversight, authorities accountability and assist for affected residents, amongst different issues,” he stated.
“I urge the authorities to drop prices in opposition to these searching for accountability..”
The UN human rights chief highlighted that a number of provisions and practices of the National Security Law of 2020 and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance of 2024 should not in keeping with worldwide human rights regulation, significantly the rules of legality, necessity and proportionality governing permissible restrictions on rights.
Erosion of human rights
“The cumulative impacts of those legal guidelines replicate a systemic erosion of the enjoyment of human rights.together with the elemental freedoms of expression, peaceable meeting and affiliation in what was as soon as a vibrant heart of civil society, vigorous public coverage debate and unbiased media within the area,” he stated.
The High Commissioner additionally expressed considerations about electoral adjustments which have lowered the proportion of instantly elected district council seats to lower than 20 % of its whole membership.
“The compelled dissolution of the principle political events successfully eradicated organized political opposition,” he stated.
“Political pluralism promotes range and equality, whereas additionally offering the important checks and balances essential for democratic accountability of public authorities. »
Mr. Türk insisted that “there is a chance to revive significant civic area in Hong Kong, by reversing these measures that limit political participation and suppress dissent.”
