HKW statement on the first anniversary of the National Security Law
Today marks the first anniversary of the decision by the Chinese Communist Party to impose the National Security Law on Hong Kong, which has brought in an array of vague and draconian charges including ‘subversion’, ‘succession’, and ‘collusion with foreign forces’.
Despite assurances from the Hong Kong Government that this new law would be used sparingly and not be used retrospectively, to date 114 individuals have been arrested and 59 individuals charged under the law. This includes journalists, students, pro-democracy activists, and former lawmakers.
Under the pretext of state security and in violation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law, Beijing in the last year has dismantled the right to free expression, freedom of assembly, a free press, democracy, and the rule of law, in what was once the most international and open city in Asia.
Hong Kong Watch appreciates the actions likeminded government have so far taken to respond to the destruction of Hong Kong’s autonomy and China’s flagrant violations of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, including the UK Government’s BNO visa scheme, Canada and Australia’s lifeboat schemes, the suspension of extradition treaties with Hong Kong, and the decision by the US Government to sanction Hong Kong and Chinese officials.
The deteriorating human rights situation in Hong Kong, the pending national security trials of prominent pro-democracy activists, talk of a so called ‘fake news’ law, the implementation of an Immigration Bill which may stop freedom of movement in and out of the city, and the threat of more closures of pro-democracy media companies in the city, requires further coordinated action from the international community.
Given the UK’s historic, legal, and moral obligation to the people of Hong Kong, the UK Government should coordinate Magnitsky sanctions targeted against Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for the implementation of the National Security Law alongside likeminded partners.
Western governments in the Five Eyes and the EU, should prioritise the adoption of lifeboat schemes targeted in particular at young Hong Kongers who are not covered by the UK’s BNO visa scheme. This includes the EU moving forward with a lifeboat scheme for young Hong Kongers, the US Congress passing the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act, as well as Australia and Canada improving their existing lifeboat schemes.
EU Member States should commit to ensuring that Europe is a safe haven for Hong Kongers, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Taiwanese, and Chinese activists by suspending their extradition treaties with the People’s Republic of China.
At a multilateral level, the UK and likeminded democracies should continue to shine a light of the human rights crisis in Hong Kong with regular statements and support the creation of a Special Rapporteur/Envoy for Hong Kong.
Finally, all countries should consider the extent of investment in Chinese companies complicit in the crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and gross human rights violations in China more broadly. Governments should commit to adopting entities lists and prevent pensions being invested in Chinese companies complicit in human rights abuse.
Taken together, these measures are a clear blueprint of how world leaders can respond to the destruction of Hong Kong’s autonomy, the mass incarceration of pro-democracy activists, and China’s flagrant violation of an international treaty.