UK to protect individuals living outside Hong Kong from China’s oppressive laws

London

After Hong Kong authorities issued against nationals residing in the UK and other countries, the British government has vowed to protect them from China’s oppressive laws.

In a statement issued on Monday, UK Foreign 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.”

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Cleverly also objected to China’s imposition of National Security Law in Hong Kong as it was against the spirit of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

He called on Hong Kong authorities to stop targeting citizens that were against oppression while urging the Chinese government to remove the law.

The Hong Kong authorities had reportedly issued arrest warrants and bounty against eight pro-democracy activists under Beijing’s National Security Law.

The pro-democracy activists include individuals that are residing in the UK for their fight for hong Kong’s freedom from China.

The US Department of State too has condemned the action of Hong Kong Police force and termed it as an extraterritorial application of Beijing’s law.

US Department of State spokesperson Mathew Miller called on the Hong Kong government to immediately withdraw this bounty.

Miller further called on China to not undermine sovereignty of other countries and vowed to oppose oppression ofhuman rights

“We support individuals’ rights to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly,” he added.

The UK has already snapped its extradition treaty with China for imposing the law on Hong Kong in 2020 and declared it non-compliant with the declaration.

The British government’s tactics are aimed at pressurizing China into withdrawing the draconian law while fulfilling its legal obligations as per the declaration.