Carrie Lam says police watchdog report 'comprehensive, objective'

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the newly-revealed police watchdog report is "comprehensive, objective" and "based on fact."

The Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) on Friday released a 999-page report into police's handling of the months-long unrest in Hong Kong SAR, which erupted in June 2019.

"No matter what attitude or political stance people hold, I hope the public will give a fair assessment to the report," Carrie Lam told reporters at a media briefing on Friday afternoon.

The long-awaited report exonerated officers for their handling of violent protests, saying the police use of force met international guidelines, and police were not to be blamed for the public animosity they faced.

It also warned the accusations of police brutality must not be used as "a weapon of political protest," and public anger towards the city's force was the result of online smear campaigns.

In the review, the IPCC also made 52 recommendations, including more training for officers and clear guidelines on the use of weapons, which Carrie Lam told reporters that the HKSAR government would accept.