HRW head denied entry to Hong Kong

The global head of Human Rights Watch said he was denied entry on Sunday (January 12) to Hong Kong, where he was scheduled to launch the organization’s latest world report this week.

Kenneth Roth, the group’s executive director, said he was blocked at Hong Kong airport from entering for the first time, having entered freely in the past.

During seven months of sometimes violent anti-government protests, the Chinese-ruled city has barred several activists, foreign journalists and an academic.

“This year (the new world report) describes how the Chinese government is undermining the international human rights system. But the authorities just blocked my entrance to Hong Kong, illustrating the worsening problem,” Roth said in a post on his Twitter account.

He added that Hong Kong immigration officials had cited only “immigration reasons”.

Speaking at a daily news briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Human Rights Watch had encouraged radicals in Hong Kong “to take violent and extremist actions.”

“They have instigated the activities of Hong Kong separatists and hold a major responsibility for the current chaos,” Geng said.

Responding to Reuters’ questions, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Immigration Department said it did not comment on individual cases.