In its response, a representative of HKSAR noted that: “Civil society organizations involved in normal interactions with United Nations bodies were protected by the laws of HKSAR; only interactions that fell outside the norm were punishable under the National Security Law. It was impossible to generalize about whether a United Nations body would meet the definition of a foreign political organization under the Societies Ordinance, since that depended on the particulars of the case and on the activities of the body in question” (CCPR/C/SR.3895, para. 44).20

30. On 28 July 2023, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report noting that the State respects and safeguards human rights and protects, in accordance with the law, routine exchanges and cooperation with the United Nations. The Government denied allegations of reprisals against those who cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms and opposed the use of what it characterized as false allegations of so-called reprisals as a pretext to interfere with judicial processes.
31. The Government reiterated that the “National Security Law” does not affect the lawful exercise of the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, including the right to criticize the Government nor does it affect freedom of information, academic freedom, policy research, general business activities and routine interaction and cooperation with international organizations, which are protected by the Basic Law and other relevant legislation.