GENEVA — China is tightening its grip on Hong Kong and the territory’s autonomy and democratic freedoms are slipping away, a prominent Hong Kong activist told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Monday in a plea for international action. Beijing’s delegation twice interrupted the speech by Denise Ho, a Hong Kong singer, producer and pro-democracy activist who is banned in mainland China. Since the handover, we saw our autonomy slowly eroded,” Ho told the council. “The ‘One Country, Two Systems’ is nearing its death,” Ho said, referring to the model under which Hong Kong has been ruled for 22 years. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet last month urged authorities in Hong Kong to “consult broadly” before passing or amending the bill, or any other legislation.

Source: National Post July 08, 2019 17:26 UTC