UK 6 monthly report says this is the 'most concerning period in Hong Kong's post-handover history'

Today, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office released it’s six monthly report on Hong Kong covering the period of January 2020-June 2020.

In the Foreign Secretary’s foreword to the report, Rt. Hon Dominic Raab MP writes that following the introduction of the National Security Law in July this is the ‘most concerning period in Hong Kong’s post-handover history’.

Raab goes on to write that: ‘The chilling effects of the National Security Law can already be seen in Hong Kong. It is already reducing the extent to which the people of Hong Kong are able to exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms. It has damaged freedom of expression in academia, schools and libraries, including through the removal of textbooks and other books containing certain political content. It has been used as the basis for a raid on a leading Hong Kong newspaper and the arrest of its owner. Hong Kong police regularly threaten arrests under its provisions in response to the chanting or display of political slogans during demonstrations. Uncertainties about how the provisions in the law might be used in future is reportedly having a wider chilling effect on the exercise of freedoms through encouraging self-censorship.’

Outlining the actions the UK Government has taken to response to the National Security Law, Raab lists the introduction of a BNO visa scheme, the suspension of the UK’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong, the extension of the UK’s export ban on weapons and sensitive technology to cover Hong Kong, and the beginning of consultations with the Lord Chancellor and President of the UK Supreme Court to review the continued role of British judges serving as non-permanent judges on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.

Commenting on the Foreign Secretary’s foreword and the content of the six monthly report, Hong Kong Watch’s Policy Director, Johnny Patterson said:

“The Foreign Secretary is right to say that this is the 'most concerning period in Hong Kong's post-handover history'.

The chilling effect of the National Security Law is profound, it has provided a hammer blow against civil and political rights.

The wide-ranging implications of the trends are clear, the Foreign Secretary's review of whether it is appropriate for British judges to sit on the Court of Final Appeal is a sign that the world recognises that rule of law is under pressure.

The time has come for coordinated sanctions to ensure those responsible for the flagrant violation of international law are held to account."

To read the full report: The Six Monthy Report on Hong Kong January - June 2020 (publishing.service.gov.uk)