The Hong Kong government has hit out at a US report on religious freedom that downgraded the city’s freedom of expression and belief.
Authorities said on Saturday that they “rejected the slandering remarks” in the US State Department’s Report on International Religious Freedom, which downgraded the city’s rating “due to evidence that the broader crackdown on dissent has prompted some churches to self-censor sermons and curtail other religious activities”.
Religious groups in Hong Kong faced government retaliation for participating in social movements, according to the report published on Wednesday.
The report cited a paper by the US non-governmental organisation Freedom House, which downgraded Hong Kong’s freedom of expression and belief rating from the highest score 4 in 2022 to 3 in 2023.
Each jurisdiction is awarded zero to 4 points for different rights indicators.
The report said the Falun Gong spiritual movement faced counterdemonstrations and harassment by groups with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, while the Hong Kong Taoist Association cancelled a scheduled parade after their request to hold the event was not approved.
The report also noted that Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun, the former Catholic bishop of Hong Kong and an “outspoken defender of civil rights”, was still pending trial on suspicions of collusion with foreign forces.
Religious leaders also reported hosting more interfaith activities that were characterised as patriotic.
“Amid controversy among their members about separation of church and state, the Buddhist Association, Anglican Church and Muslim community flew People’s Republic of China flags in September and October to celebrate [China’s] National Day,” the report said.
“Religious leaders made statements about the role of religion in supporting the government and promoting patriotism and national prosperity.”
In response, a Hong Kong government spokesman said it rejected the US’ repeated attempts to slander the city “under the guise of religious freedom by piling up false stories and fabricated narratives”.
“As always, Hong Kong residents enjoy the rights and freedoms, including religious freedom and the freedom of speech, under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other relevant laws,” he said.
“The law enforcement agencies … have been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law … such actions have nothing to do with … political stance, background or occupation.”
The spokesman also stressed that the Hong Kong judiciary would not handle cases differently because of the background of the person involved.
“The government strongly urges the US to immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters, which are purely China’s internal affairs,” he said.
