On 3 July the Hong Kong Police issued arrest warrants under the National Security Law for eight individuals living outside Hong Kong.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary James Cleverly said:
We will not tolerate any attempts by China to intimidate and silence individuals in the UK and overseas. The UK will always defend the universal right to freedom of expression and stand up for those who are targeted.
We strongly object to the National Security Law that China imposed on Hong Kong, including its extraterritorial reach, in breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration.
We call on Beijing to remove the National Security Law and for the Hong Kong authorities to end their targeting of those who stand up for freedom and democracy.
Background for editors
- Since 13 March 2021, the UK has declared China to be in an ongoing state of non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
- The UK suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong on 20 July 2020, in response to the imposition of the National Security Law by Beijing.
- The UK continues to lead international efforts to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, calling out violations of their rights and freedoms, and holding China to its international obligations.
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
