Hong Kong extradition bill: security chief announces safeguards to win support of major business groups and political allies

John Lee says safeguards will limit scope of extraditable crimes, protect human rights and ensure fair treatment of fugitives being handed over

City’s five major business groups quick to welcome the concessions

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Secretary for Security John Lee said the government had to take action. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 8:03pm, 30 May 2019Updated: 10:52am, 31 May 2019

Hong Kong’s security minister on Thursday announced a series of changes and safeguards in a last-minute bid to sell the government’s controversial extradition bill to a nervous business community and secure political support for its endorsement by the legislature.

Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said measures would be in place to limit the scope of extraditable crimes, introduce human rights safeguards and ensure the protection of fugitives being transferred from the city to other jurisdictions, including mainland China.

The city’s five major business groups – the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC), the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and the Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ and Exporters’ Association – were quick to welcome the concessions, but legal scholars and pan-democratic lawmakers opposing the bill argued there was still no guarantee of human rights and fair treatment for fugitives sent across the border.

Critics have expressed concern over unfair trials and the lack of human rights guarantees on the mainland. Photo: EPA

“To allay concerns, the [Hong Kong] government had to take further actions,” Lee said. “The central government has expressed its understanding.”

Asked what would happen if any jurisdiction violated the rights of fugitives, he replied: “If that really happened, the government would lodge representations with those jurisdictions, and the international community would also criticise them.”