European Union voices concern over Hong Kong’s plan to allow extraditions to mainland China
- The 28-member bloc becomes first foreign governmental body to officially air worries over Security Bureau’s plan
- Cites ‘effect amendments could have on EU citizens, either residing in Hong Kong or passing through’
The European Union has voiced concerns about a Hong Kong government proposal to allow fugitives to be handed over to mainland China.
It said officials should get a better idea of the public view on the sensitive issue before moving ahead, and that it was worried about the potential impact on citizens living in or visiting the city.
The 28-member bloc was the first foreign governmental body to officially air worries over the plan. The Security Bureau intends to amend the current laws to allow the transfer of fugitives on a case-by-case basis to mainland China and all other jurisdictions with which the city lacks an extradition deal.
“We are concerned about the effect amendments could have on EU citizens, either residing in Hong Kong or passing through it, and about the possibility of the re-surrender of fugitives,” an EU spokesman said on Friday.
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“Satisfactory safeguards should be enforced in case of ad hoc extradition. We have conveyed our concerns to the Hong Kong authorities.”
A longer and more in-depth public consultation including a consultation with countries which currently have extradition arrangements with the city, “would have been desirable” on such a sensitive issue, the EU said.
The Hong Kong government has stood firm on not conducting a formal public consultation for the proposed changes, only allowing members of the public to submit their views during a 20-day period which ended last week.
We are concerned about the effect that amendments could have on EU citizens, either residing in Hong Kong or passing through it
It was understood the EU had not made any submission but conveyed its concerns directly to the government.
The EU added it would assess the full implications of the proposal, along with the consulates of EU member states in Hong Kong, once the bill was formally tabled to the legislature.
Meanwhile, the Mainland Affairs Council in Taiwan noted the potential impact that could be brought by the proposed amendments to the city’s human rights and safety of its citizens in Hong Kong.
“We will closely follow the development, communicate with the Hong Kong authorities to convey our concerns and take action when necessary to ensure the rights of our citizens,” the council’s spokesman said.
Kurt Tong, the consul general of the United States, had earlier said it was premature to judge the proposed changes to the law and said “the details in this kind of thing really matter”.
In a submission to the Security Bureau obtained by the Post last week, the American Chamber of Commerce denounced the proposed extradition agreement, warning it would damage the city’s reputation as a “secure haven for international business”.
A spokeswoman for the Security Bureau said the proposal had made reference to the laws and practices adopted by other jurisdictions, such as Britain and Canada, adding the city would have full discretion on whether to consider a request based on its own judgment and decision.
“The bureau is studying the public views received and will carefully consider [them before] preparing the amendment bill and submitting it to the Legislative Council for scrutiny,” she said.
Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday claimed two-thirds of 4,500 public submissions received so far supported the idea.
Additional reporting by Alvin Lum
