Human Rights in China Concerned Over Violence Against Peaceful Demonstrators Outside China's Consulate in New York, Calls for Investigation into Conduct of Epic Security Personnel

Human Rights in China (HRIC) is concerned about an incident of violence involving peaceful demonstrators that took place on the evening of July 1 outside the Consulate General of China in New York.

According to the event organizer, China Action, and participants present at the scene, a security officer from Epic Security repeatedly shoved participants, threw punches striking several people, and seized projection equipment during a peaceful projection action held in response to the entry into force of China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. Participants stated that they at no point used violence against the security officer, and that they only used their bodies to shield the projection equipment. One participant reportedly fell to the ground after being punched repeatedly while attempting to block the officer, and another participant was also knocked down.

The Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress took effect on July 1. It includes provisions holding overseas organizations and individuals legally liable for so-called acts of "undermining ethnic unity" and "creating ethnic division." HRIC has long been concerned about the Chinese government's use of legal, administrative, and other means to extend the reach of its suppression of dissent beyond its borders. HRIC maintains that the lawful exercise of the rights to peaceful expression and assembly within the United States should be fully protected, and that no one should be subjected to violence or physical harm on account of the content of their expression or the target of their criticism.

HRIC understands that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) responded to the scene following the incident. As of the publication of this statement, Epic Security, the NYPD, and the Consulate General of China in New York have not publicly commented on the incident.

Based on the information currently available, HRIC calls for the following:

First, that the relevant law enforcement authorities conduct a full investigation into the incident in accordance with the law, reviewing surveillance footage, video records, and witness testimony to establish the facts;

Second, that Epic Security investigate the conduct of the security personnel involved and cooperate with the relevant authorities' investigative procedures in accordance with the law;

Third, that the relevant regulatory bodies review whether Epic Security fulfilled its security duties, and hold accountable any unlawful conduct in accordance with the law;

Fourth, that the right to peaceful expression and assembly within the United States, exercised in accordance with the law, be equally protected. No one should be subjected to violence, intimidation, or physical harm on account of the content or target of their expression.

Human Rights in China will continue to monitor developments in this incident and the subsequent legal proceedings.