Hong Kong Watch and its patrons condemn the passage of the National Security Law and the dismantling of One Country, Two Systems

The Chinese Communist Party today passed the National Security Law in Hong Kong, which will introduce a range of vague and draconian charges, including for ‘subversion’, ‘sedition’, and ‘colluding with foreign political forces’. Full details of the law will be published later today.

The National Security Law is in direct breach of China’s commitments under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Hong Kong Government’s obligations as a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Commenting on the news, Lord Patten of Barnes, the last Governor of Hong Kong and a patron of Hong Kong Watch, said:

"This decision, which rides rough-shod over Hong Kong's elected legislature, marks the end of one-country, two-systems. It is a flagrant breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration - a treaty lodged at the United Nations -  and Hong Kong's mini constitution, the Basic Law.

It will throttle the city's rule of law, presenting a major confrontation between what passes for law in China and the common law system in Hong Kong which has allowed the city to function as one of the most important financial hubs in Asia. The separation of powers is in danger of being shattered and the courts politicised by the provision that the Chief Executive will herself choose the judges for national security cases."

He was joined by Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former UK Foreign Secretary, who said:

“This is a grim day for the people of Hong Kong. They can take some encouragement from the fact that many countries around the world will stand with them over the weeks and months to come. They are not alone.”

Catherine West MP, Labour Shadow Minister for Europe and Hong Kong Watch patron, said:

“In 1997 Hong Kong was promised 50 years of autonomy and self-rule. After less than half that time this autonomy has been fatally undermined by the Chinese government. These latest developments are a tragedy for Hong Kong and its people, and for the international rules based order on which we all rely.”

Alistair Carmichael MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Policy spokesperson, Hong Kong Watch patron and chair of the APPG on Hong Kong, who said:

“This new law crushes what was left of the ‘one country, two systems’ framework. It destroys Hong Kong as we know it.

“The UK government must now act swiftly to uphold the promises we made during the Handover.

“The people of Hong Kong must immediately be given the right to live in the UK, with a pathway to citizenship. It is not good enough for this offer to only apply to BNO status holders and their dependents, as the government have so far suggested. This leaves behind many young Hongkongers who have been at the centre of the calls for democracy.

Benedict Rogers, the co-founder and Chair of Hong Kong Watch said:

“Today is a watershed moment for Hong Kong’s future as an autonomous, open, and international city. Overnight Beijing’s National Security Law will dismantle One Country, Two Systems and quash dissent through an extra-judicial cache of vague and draconian charges.

The battle over the National Security Law may be over, but the fight for Hong Kong’s future goes on. Like-minded democratic countries must now rally together and take the necessary coordinated action to support all those in Hong Kong who believe that freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, are not just ideals but are necessities to living happy, safe, and fulfilled lives.

Hong Kong Watch calls on the governments, parliamentarians, and officials who have offered their concern over the last few weeks to stand with Hong Kong, and turn rhetoric in reality by supporting the appointment of a UN Special Envoy/Rapporteur on Hong Kong, the passing of Magnitsky style targeted sanctions against the perpetrators of human rights abuses under this new National Security Law, the formation of an International Contact Group to monitor the situation on the ground, and the coordination of an international life boat policy to help Hong Kongers in need of a lifeline.”