Hong Kong Watch welcomes Ireland and the Netherlands decision to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and calls for EU Members to now go further and suspend extradition with China

This month Ireland and the Netherlands joined the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Finland in suspending extradition treaties with Hong Kong.

The decision to suspend the extradition treaty followed an announcement by the Irish and Dutch foreign ministers in July that their respective countries were reviewing extradition arrangements with Hong Kong following the introduction of the draconian National Security Law.

EU Member States on 28th July agreed a comprehensive package of measures to respond to the crisis in Hong Kong, which included the suspension of extradition treaties, export controls, and the introduction of a lifeboat scheme for Hong Kongers which would allow them to study and work in Europe.

Portugal and the Czech Republic continue to have extradition treaties in operation with Hong Kong. While France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Lithuania, Romania, and Bulgaria all have existing extradition treaties with the People’s Republic of China.

Commenting on Ireland and the Netherlands government’s decision on suspension, Johnny Patterson, Hong Kong Watch’s Policy Director, said:

“We welcome the decision by the Irish and the Netherlands governments to suspend their respective extradition treaties with Hong Kong and hope the remaining European countries who have similar arrangements with the Hong Kong authorities will soon follow suit, making it clear that no Hong Konger will be extradited under the National Security Law.

At the same time, it is evidently inconsistent for EU member states to suspend extradition with Hong Kong but maintain existing extradition treaties with mainland China. As the case of the twelve Hong Kongers detained for more than two months in Shenzhen has demonstrated, the Hong Kong Government is happy for the National Security Law to be used to allow Hong Kongers to stand trial in the mainland.

It is now time for leading EU member states to consider their position and we would urge them to suspend all extradition treaties with the Chinese Communist Party. This is not only important for Hong Kongers, but also for the safety of Hong Kongers, Uyghurs, Tibetans, and other minorities who reside in Europe.”

For further information: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ireland-ends-extradition-deal-with-hong-kong-over-security-law-jfwh7fkl9