New Macau sends letter to UN noting region has no democratic improvements

The New Macau Association (ANM) has submitted an 11-page document to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council to provide insight for a review on Macau’s political issues.

Submitted for the 31st Session of Universal Periodic Review on Macau, which will formally be held in November, the pro-democracy association disclosed the city’s issues on political rights, freedom of expression and movement, privacy and surveillance, gender recognition and domestic violence.

According to ANM, the five topics it addressed should not be considered as an exhaustive list of human rights issues in Macau, rather only recommendations that are “technically achievable.”

ANM continually calls for universal suffrage, noting that the right to political participation and expression is limited in the city – but government officials have denied the introduction of universal suffrage to the elections of the Chief Executive and all the members of the Legislative Assembly.

Jason Chao, a political activist, lamented that the city has had no improvements in democracy.

“It is regrettable that the government is denying citizens the right to participate in the formation of the Municipal Institute. It’s a step backward rather than going forward towards democracy,” said Chao, who was present at yesterday’s press conference.

The activist slammed the government as he claimed that the future Municipal Institute is just another name for the current Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau.

“I barely see the difference but in terms of political rights, I would say that the SAR is denying [the] public’s participation in the municipal institute,” Chao stressed.

Meanwhile, ANM noted the local authorities’ denial of entry to Macau of Hong Kong journalists, lawmakers, scholars and writers was not infrequent, criticizing justifications posed by the local government such as “internal security” or the “International Security Framework Law.”

However, that law is a piece of legislation intended to combat cross-border organized crime and terrorism. “People with common sense would see these claims [as] hardly convincing,” the association wrote in their submission. “The historical, cultural and economic ties between Macau and its neighboring regions made the freedom to enter and leave Macau part of people’s lives,” it continues.

According to Chao, the association compiled a list of activities as well as journalists and scholars that have been denied entry to Macau, and hopes that the UN will review the document and assess the visitors.

“Of course this is an open violation of freedom of expression” Chao defended.

The ANM also was frustrated by the use of surveillance technologies being deployed by police authorities being unavailable to the public.

According to the association, the mechanism to protect citizens’ personal data from being abused by the authorities is weak, noting that the existing personal data mechanism is impotent in the face of state surveillance in the digital era.

The association requested the Human Rights Council urge Macau to “oblige public authorities to publish true and complete information on the capabilities of the network surveillance technologies use in the upcoming cybersecurity legislation.”

“What is lacking is transparency and accountability. The cybersecurity law proposed by the Secretary for Security only [intends] to expand its power but [there is] no […] mechanism to keep its exercise of power in check,” said the activist.

“There was nothing [by which] the public can get to know the real capabilities of this surveillance technology and what data of citizens is being held by public authorities.”

ANM hopes that the document submitted last week would serve as a historical record in the UN’s database, and would apply pressure on the city to improve its transparency and security.

Meanwhile, lawmaker Sulu Sou, who is currently suspended, told the press that pursuing universal suffrage is still problematic, revealing that he had been speaking with some Portuguese politicians to hear their views on the matter.

“We tried to communicate with some Portuguese politicians to discuss whether it’s suitable to amend the Basic Law and discuss and check the documents [of the agreement] between China and Portugal. It’s still in the discussion stage for ANM,” said Sou. 

Chao sued for defamation

A criminal charge was filed against Jason Chao by the former director of the University of Macau’s (UM) Public Administration department, after Macau Concealers revealed several allegations of the professor’s involvement in sexual harassment back in 2015.

Chao yesterday announced that Wang Jian Wei has sued him for defamation, as the media outlet revealed information regarding the alleged perpetrator.

“As information unfolded, we would guess the identity of the alleged perpetrator,” Chao explained.

The UM previously released a statement admitting that there were investigations going on, and the scholar admitted that there were three complaints against him.

“He denied the allegations [but] Macau Concealers just revealed allegations and complaints. But he said that it was defamatory and the whole thing was fabricated by Macau Concealers,” the activist said.

“I’m happy and I’m open to taking the matter to the court,” he added.

The case will be brought to court on July 24.