PRESS RELEASE: Scottish politician, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP submits a motion in the Scottish Parliament condemning Chinese actions in Hong Kong on the 25th anniversary of the handover
Tuesday 28th June – Last week, Scottish politician Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP submitted a motion in the Scottish Parliament condemning action by the Chinese government in suppressing the freedom of speech, belief, or expression in Hong Kong since the handover. The motion also calls for other Scottish politicians to criticise the use of the National Security Law to arrest journalists and close pro-democracy media outlets and oppose the use of the Law to arrest and imprison those who oppose the CCP. Finally, it calls for support in welcoming fleeing Hong Kongers to settle in Scotland.
Twenty-five years ago, the UK and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration which promised Hong Kong would have a high degree of autonomy and its civil liberties would remain the same. Over the last few years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has repeatedly trampled the Declaration by closing pro-democracy media outlets and imprisoning anyone who dares speak out against the regime, including prominent politicians and members of the church. Most recently the CPP appointed Chief Executive John Lee in a sham election of Beijing’s loyal handpicked citizens, riding roughshod over any semblance of democracy.
The motion has so far been supported by a number of politicians from several parties in the Scottish Parliament including, Jeremy Balfour MSP, Foysol Choudhury MSP, Sharon Dowey MSP, Murdo Fraser MSP, Christine Grahame MSP, Bill Kidd MSP, John Mason MSP, Paul Sweeney MSP, Mercedes Villalba MSP, and Sue Webber MSP.
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) now calls on the Westminster government to follow Scotland’s lead and take further steps to condemn the flagrant breach of the Sino-British agreement perpetrated by the CPP.
CFHK President, Mark Clifford, said:
“CFHK thank Alex-Cole Hamilton for his strong words in support of the people of Hong Kong and condemning the actions of Beijing in Hong Kong. Staging the motion sends a message to Beijing that the world is continuing to watch what the CCP is doing in Hong Kong and that the people of Hong Kong have not been forgotten.
“The 25th anniversary of the handover is an important one, as it marks the halfway point in the handover process and Beijing has essentially torn up the Declaration and is carrying on as if it never existed. That is why it is important that politicians around the world show Beijing that they will continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong and fight for their freedom.”
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, said:
“Twenty-five years ago, democracy and freedom prevailed as the process began to give the people of Hong Kong their hard-fought autonomy. Today, that very same freedom is under substantial threat.
“It is crucial that people in Scotland and around the world stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Hong Kong and show them support. More can and should be done.
“The Scottish Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign for the preservation of democracy and human rights across the globe.”
Twenty-five years ago, the UK and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration which promised Hong Kong would have a high degree of autonomy and its civil liberties would remain the same. Over the last few years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has repeatedly trampled the Declaration by closing pro-democracy media outlets and imprisoning anyone who dares speak out against the regime, including prominent politicians and members of the church. Most recently the CPP appointed Chief Executive John Lee in a sham election of Beijing’s loyal handpicked citizens, riding roughshod over any semblance of democracy.
The motion has so far been supported by a number of politicians from several parties in the Scottish Parliament including, Jeremy Balfour MSP, Foysol Choudhury MSP, Sharon Dowey MSP, Murdo Fraser MSP, Christine Grahame MSP, Bill Kidd MSP, John Mason MSP, Paul Sweeney MSP, Mercedes Villalba MSP, and Sue Webber MSP.
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) now calls on the Westminster government to follow Scotland’s lead and take further steps to condemn the flagrant breach of the Sino-British agreement perpetrated by the CPP.
CFHK President, Mark Clifford, said:
“CFHK thank Alex-Cole Hamilton for his strong words in support of the people of Hong Kong and condemning the actions of Beijing in Hong Kong. Staging the motion sends a message to Beijing that the world is continuing to watch what the CCP is doing in Hong Kong and that the people of Hong Kong have not been forgotten.
“The 25th anniversary of the handover is an important one, as it marks the halfway point in the handover process and Beijing has essentially torn up the Declaration and is carrying on as if it never existed. That is why it is important that politicians around the world show Beijing that they will continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong and fight for their freedom.”
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, said:
“Twenty-five years ago, democracy and freedom prevailed as the process began to give the people of Hong Kong their hard-fought autonomy. Today, that very same freedom is under substantial threat.
“It is crucial that people in Scotland and around the world stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Hong Kong and show them support. More can and should be done.
“The Scottish Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign for the preservation of democracy and human rights across the globe.”
About CFHK
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk