Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak said on Wednesday that the local government strongly objected to a human rights report published by the US government recently, describing it as “irresponsible gossip”.
Wong made the remarks on the sidelines of an awards ceremony for firefighters at the Fire Services Bureau (CB) headquarters in Nam Van.
The US State Department recently published its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015. Concerning Macau, it says that there were “prominent” human rights problems reported during the year, including limits on citizens’ ability to change their government, as well as constraints on press and academic freedom, and the failure to fully enforce laws regarding workers’ rights.
The report also raised human trafficking in Macau, claiming that although authorities were building capacity to pursue such cases, and while there were continuing concerns that national security legislation could compromise various civil liberties, local prosecutors had filed no human trafficking cases last year.
Speaking on Wednesday, Wong said the government strongly objected to the report, adding that he disagreed completely with the content. Wong also said that every government entity was working in accordance with local laws and regulations, and would protect the lawful rights and interests of all residents and non-locals in Macau.
“It is unreasonable for another country to comment on the situation of Macau,” Wong said, adding, “This can even be called irresponsible gossip, as the [report] is inappropriate and inaccurate.”
(Macaunews/macaupost)
