On 30 May 2019, the UK and Canada issued a joint statement on Hong Kong's proposed extradition law changes. They said "we believe that there is a risk that the proposals could impact negatively on the rights and freedoms set down in the Sino-British Joint Declaration. It is vital that extradition arrangements in Hong Kong are in line with ‘one country, two systems’ and fully respect Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy." They also stated "that the Hong Kong government should allow time to give proper consideration to all alternative options and safeguards.”

On 5 June 2019, The Rights Practice signed a joint letter, along with 67 other NGOs, expressing grave concern regarding the Hong Kong government’s proposed amendments to the two Hong Kong laws concerning extradition. The statement highlights that the proposed changes will put at risk anyone in the territory of Hong Kong who has carried out work related to the Mainland and calls on the Hong Kong government to immediately halt its plan to amend the legislation. See below:

---

5 June, 2019

Carrie Lam

Chief Executive Office of the Chief Executive

Tamar Hong Kong

Dear Chief Executive,

OPEN LETTER REGARDING PROPOSED CHANGES TO HONG KONG’S EXTRADITION LAW

We are writing to express our grave concern regarding the Hong Kong government’s proposed amendments to two Hong Kong laws concerning extradition, the Fugitive Offenders’ Ordinance (FOO) and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance (MLACMO). The existing legislation expressly excludes Mainland China from extradition and mutual legal assistance arrangements, a deliberate decision reflecting public and lawmakers’ concerns about China’s poor human rights record. However, the proposed changes to expand the extradition arrangement to Mainland China would have the effect of enabling the handover of persons in the territory of Hong Kong, be they residents of Hong Kong, persons travelling to or working in Hong Kong, or persons merely in transit, as well as materials carried by them or in their possession...

Read Full Letter Here.