Over 50 Hong Kong civil organisations urge government action following the Hong Kong National Security arrest warrants and bounties
More than 50 Hong Kong civil society organisations from across the world have signed a joint statement urging government action in response to the Hong Kong National Security arrest warrants and bounties announced on 3 July 2023.
In the statement, they call on governments to introduce measures to protect the rights of and freedoms of Hong Kong activists in exile, particularly those who have asylum and face past threats from Beijing.
They call on governments, specifically of the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, to reiterate that the Hong Kong National Security Law does not apply in their jurisdictions, and condemn the latest arrest warrants and bounties and reaffirm that they are not valid in their jurisdictions.
“These Hong Kong National Security Police issued arrest warrants and bounties for eight Hong Kong pro-democracy activists living overseas, are further evidence that this draconian law is being used extraterritorially and retrospectively to silence pro-democracy voices and intimidate the Hong Kong community overseas,” the statement reads.
“Hong Kong activists in exile must be protected in their peaceful fight for basic human rights, freedoms and democracy.”
This is the first time that arrest warrants and bounties have been issued in relation to overseas activity related to the National Security Law.
The groups also urge governments to suspend the remaining extradition treaties that exist between democracies and the Hong Kong and Chinese Governments and work towards coordinating an INTERPOL early warning system to protect Hong Kongers and other dissidents abroad.
On Monday, the Hong Kong police force issued arrest warrants and arrests for pro-democracy activists Nathan Law, Dennis Kwok, Ted Hui, Kevin Yam, Anna Kwok, Finn Lau, Elmer Yuen, and Christopher Mung, alongside a bounty of $1 million per individual for information that could lead to their arrest under the National Security Law.
On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee told reporters that the only way for the activists to “end their destiny of being an abscondee who will be pursued for life is to surrender” and urged “them to give themselves up as soon as possible”.