Holden Chow Slammed For Cancelling Hearing On ICCPR

A human rights group has condemned pro-Beijing legislator Holden Chow for abruptly cancelling a public hearing over a government report to the United Nations on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Legco's constitutional affairs panel, chaired by Chow, was supposed to hold the public hearing on November 16. But Civil Rights Observer said it was informed on Thursday that the hearing has been scrapped due to public health concerns and only written submissions will be accepted.

The group claimed the decision was politically motivated and accused Chow of deliberately dodging questions from civic society and trampling on people’s right to take part in public affairs.

"Now that the meeting doesn’t accept public participation, it further suggests that the legislature is failing, and there wouldn’t be a positive and meaningful discussion on the implementation of the covenant," the group said in a statement.

It added that Legco has been operating normally amid the pandemic and members of the public can continue to observe various meetings, including those scheduled for November 16.

In response, the DAB lawmaker said he made the decision after several of his colleagues raised concerns about gathering in Legco during the coronavirus pandemic and flu season.

Chow stressed that the item had not been taken off the agenda, and the public could still give their views in writing.