Hong Kong Watch and Lord David Alton call for support for an International Life Boat Campaign
After weeks of talks with stakeholders in the UK, EU, USA, Canada, and other international stakeholders, Hong Kong Watch is proud today to formally launch its campaign for an International Lifeboat Campaign.
Given the deteriorating human rights situation in Hong Kong and the pending implementation of National Security Legislation, which will dismantle ‘One Country, Two Systems’ overnight and introduce an array of draconian and vague charges for ‘sedition’, ‘subversion’, and ‘colluding with foreign political forces’, many Hong Kongers are rightly re-assessing their future in the city.
The International Lifeboat Campaign for Hong Kong would ensure that Hong Kongers in need of refuge have a lifeline.
Far from being a white flag of surrender, the International Lifeboat Campaign, taken together with sanctions targeted at the perpetrators of human rights abuses under the new National Security Law and the formation of an International Contact Group to monitor the situation in Hong Kong, will ensure that pro-democracy activists can continue to campaign for freedom, the rule of law, and the city’s autonomy safely in the knowledge that they have an insurance policy.
We are calling on democratic partners who have pledged their support for Hong Kong and raised concern over the National Security Law to follow through with actions, including:
Reform work and study visa programmes to make it easier for Hong Kongers to work and study abroad as a pathway to citizenship.
Reform asylum policy to make it easier for Hong Kongers in need of a lifeline to claim asylum.
Coordinate with international partners preferably through an International Contact Group to ensure that no group of Hong Kongers is unfairly left behind by filling gaps in pre-existing immigration policies.
This could be done either by a national government changing the current immigration regulations or through direct legislation by parliamentarians.
USA: Hong Kong Watch has engaged with Senators and US House Representatives to support efforts to pass a Hong Kong Visa Bill, which will make it easier for Hong Kongers to claim asylum, including journalists. The proposed bill would ensure that the USA automatically grants asylum to Hong Kongers in the event of a further crackdown.
Canada: Hong Kong Watch is working closely with Canadian stakeholders and the Canadian Government to ensure the creation of a Young Talents Program for Hong Kongers. This would specifically address a gap in the UK Government’s BNO policy, which doesn’t cover young Hong Kongers who were born after the handover (1997) and are not entitled to BNO status.
EU: Hong Kong Watch successfully managed to convince the European Parliament to endorse the creation of an international life boat policy and is currently working with stakeholders in EU Member States to encourage their government’s participation in the scheme.
UK: Hong Kong Watch continues to work closely with UK stakeholders and the Home Office to ensure that the Government’s ambitious BNO policy is realised and implemented in a way that turns rhetoric into tangible policy, offering BNOs a much-needed lifeline.
International: Hong Kong Watch is engaging stakeholders outside of Europe and North America to encourage participation in the international lifeboat campaign, including Australia, New Zealand, and ASEAN countries.
Commenting on the launch of Hong Kong Watch’s International Lifeboat Campaign, Hong Kong Watch’s Patron, Lord David Alton said:
“The breakneck speed at which the Communist Party of China is unilaterally implementing its National Security Legislation in Hong Kong, which will dismember One Country, Two Systems, silence dissent in the city, and rob Hong Kongers of their basic liberties and freedom, should spur all of us who have voiced concern and support for Hong Kong in the past few weeks into matching the words with deeds.
Now is the time for the international community to convert statements of support into meaningful action. The natural place to start is ensuring that Hong Kongers have a viable insurance policy in the face of a further crackdown on their rights, including making it easier for Hong Kongers to study and work abroad as a pathway to citizenship. That’s why we need an international lifeboat campaign.”