China on Friday told UN experts to stop "meddling" in its affairs after the agency's special advisors published a letter raising fears for Hong Kong's freedoms after the enactment of a draconian new security law.
"Some people disregard facts and... crudely interfere in China's internal affairs," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters, urging the UN advisors to stop "meddling" in its business.
UN special rapporteurs on human rights have warned that China's national security law for Hong Kong poses a serious risk to the city's freedoms and breaches international legal obligations.
Beijing has faced a barrage of criticism over the law, which was imposed in late June after pro-democracy protests rocked the semi-autonomous city last year.
The law, which criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and colluding with foreign forces, carries a maximum life sentence and has intimidated many protesters into silence.
In a letter made public Friday, the UN advisers warned parts of the legislation "appear to criminalize freedom of expression or any form of criticism" of China.
"The National Security Law... poses a serious risk that those fundamental freedoms and due process protections may be infringed upon," the rapporteurs said.
The letter warned the legislation may "impinge impermissibly on the rights to freedom of opinion, expression and of peaceful assembly."
The rapporteurs urged China's "reconsideration" of the legislation and for a fully independent reviewer to be appointed to ensure it complies with China's international human rights obligations.
They also expressed concern over one of the most controversial points of the law -- which allows cases can be transferred from the jurisdiction of Hong Kong to mainland China -- and warned it could undermine the right to a fair trial.
