STATEMENT: The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) again calls on the UK Foreign Secretary to impose sanctions on China following the publication of the 50th Six Monthly Report on Hong Kong
Thursday 31st March - Today, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office published its six-monthly report, which assesses the implementation and commitment to the 1984 Sino–British Joint Declaration regarding Hong Kong.
In the last six months, China has continued to silence organisations and freedom of speech under the grips of the National Security Law. The report highlighted the curtailment of civil society and the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong, finding it evident from the first National Security Law cases beginning, to the first Legislative Council elections under the new electoral system.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss MP said: “The recent targeting of UK-based NGO Hong Kong Watch under the National Security Law was an egregious and unacceptable example of how the authorities appear to be trying to use the law to censor even those outside of Hong Kong's borders.”
The report further noted yesterday’s announcement by the British Foreign Secretary on the withdrawal of serving UK judges from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, following discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, and the President of the Supreme Court.
However, the report leaves a gap as to how the actions of China will be challenged by the international community. Concerning, given that the report found that the Chinese Government “remains in an ongoing state of non-compliance" with the Sino-British Declaration.
Responding, President of the CFHK, Mark L. Clifford, said:
“The report correctly notes the continued breach of the Sino-British Declaration, yet it provides little in the way of encouraging China to uphold the responsibilities it agreed to freely under the Sino-British Declaration. Time and again, China has shown a disregard for international condemnation. The international community is left with little opportunity but to call for the implementation of significant sanctions against those officials of the Chinese Communist Party found liable for the wilful undermining of the Declaration.
“Nonetheless, the CFHK welcome the Foreign Secretary’s support of fellow NGO Hong Kong Watch. And, whilst the CFHK fully endorse yesterday’s announcement of the removal of UK judges from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, we cannot falter when it comes to taking further action against the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government.
“Yesterday, during a Westminster Hall debate the UK Government promised to hold China to its international obligations. Today, we call on Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials from various branches of government, who continue to implement arbitrary policies on Hong Kongers.”
In the last six months, China has continued to silence organisations and freedom of speech under the grips of the National Security Law. The report highlighted the curtailment of civil society and the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong, finding it evident from the first National Security Law cases beginning, to the first Legislative Council elections under the new electoral system.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss MP said: “The recent targeting of UK-based NGO Hong Kong Watch under the National Security Law was an egregious and unacceptable example of how the authorities appear to be trying to use the law to censor even those outside of Hong Kong's borders.”
The report further noted yesterday’s announcement by the British Foreign Secretary on the withdrawal of serving UK judges from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, following discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, and the President of the Supreme Court.
However, the report leaves a gap as to how the actions of China will be challenged by the international community. Concerning, given that the report found that the Chinese Government “remains in an ongoing state of non-compliance" with the Sino-British Declaration.
Responding, President of the CFHK, Mark L. Clifford, said:
“The report correctly notes the continued breach of the Sino-British Declaration, yet it provides little in the way of encouraging China to uphold the responsibilities it agreed to freely under the Sino-British Declaration. Time and again, China has shown a disregard for international condemnation. The international community is left with little opportunity but to call for the implementation of significant sanctions against those officials of the Chinese Communist Party found liable for the wilful undermining of the Declaration.
“Nonetheless, the CFHK welcome the Foreign Secretary’s support of fellow NGO Hong Kong Watch. And, whilst the CFHK fully endorse yesterday’s announcement of the removal of UK judges from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, we cannot falter when it comes to taking further action against the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government.
“Yesterday, during a Westminster Hall debate the UK Government promised to hold China to its international obligations. Today, we call on Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials from various branches of government, who continue to implement arbitrary policies on Hong Kongers.”
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