On November 22, certain Special Procedure Mandate Holders of the Human Rights Council made irresponsible and misleading remarks based on hearsay, which interfered in China’s judicial sovereignty. China firmly opposes and categorically rejects the remarks.

China has stated on previous occasions its position on the case in question. China is a country under the rule of law, and everyone is equal before the law. The freedom of expression and right to be informed of every Chinese citizen are guaranteed in accordance with the law. At the same time, any right must be exercised within the framework of law. Whoever violates the law shall be brought to justice. China’s judicial organs protect various legitimate rights of persons serving sentences according to law, including the right to health, and provide timely medical treatment to those who have health problems.

Special Procedure Mandate Holders are obliged to abide by the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate Holders and work on the basis of facts rather than disinformation. They should, in particular, refrain from making irresponsible remarks as well as unfounded accusations against governments of States before getting the facts straight.

Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, China put people and people’s lives above anything else and adopted the most extensive, stringent and thorough measures in preventing and controlling the pandemic. In an open, transparent, and responsible manner, China lost no time in releasing authoritative information, and effectively responded to public expectation and built public consensus. What China has achieved in combating the pandemic is there for everyone to see, and is not something that anyone can distort or write off. The Special Procedure Mandate Holders in question are in no position to throw their weight around.