In a strong denunciation, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the severe implications of Hong Kong's offer as a form of transnational oppression against dissenters.
UK Denounces Hong Kong's Bounty for Arresting Activists
UK Denounces Hong Kong's Bounty for Arresting Activists
UK officials criticize Hong Kong's monetary rewards aimed at enabling the arrest of pro-democracy activists abroad.
In a concerning development, the UK government has condemned the latest initiative from authorities in Hong Kong to offer financial incentives for information leading to the arrest of pro-democracy activists residing in Britain. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper released a joint statement, branding the move as "another example of transnational repression."
The Hong Kong authorities are offering between $25,000 (HK$200,000) and $125,000 for leads on arresting 19 individuals accused of violating Beijing's national security law, which was enforced following the widespread protests in the city in 2019. Among those on the list are prominent figures such as Nathan Law, a former lawmaker, and social media operators Choi Ming-da and Fok Ka-chi, who ran a channel called "Tuesdayroad."
This latest round of rewards continues a pattern that began in July and December 2023, targeting individuals like Law, who has expressed concern for his safety due to the bounty. Previous offers included those for Simon Cheng, a former employee of a UK consulate captured in 2019 amid significant controversy.
The situation has become increasingly dire for pro-democracy activists, especially after a Hong Kong court sentenced numerous leaders to lengthy prison terms for subversion last November, following a highly criticized trial. The UK has seen a sizable influx of Hong Kong residents since a special visa scheme was launched in 2021, with around 150,000 relocating to the country.
In the face of these aggressive moves from Hong Kong, Lammy and Cooper reiterated the UK’s commitment to standing by the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, including recent immigrants. They emphasized that the protection of these rights and the safety of individuals in the UK remain paramount, citing efforts to sever any existing ties with the Hong Kong extradition framework under the Extradition Act 2003.
The Hong Kong authorities are offering between $25,000 (HK$200,000) and $125,000 for leads on arresting 19 individuals accused of violating Beijing's national security law, which was enforced following the widespread protests in the city in 2019. Among those on the list are prominent figures such as Nathan Law, a former lawmaker, and social media operators Choi Ming-da and Fok Ka-chi, who ran a channel called "Tuesdayroad."
This latest round of rewards continues a pattern that began in July and December 2023, targeting individuals like Law, who has expressed concern for his safety due to the bounty. Previous offers included those for Simon Cheng, a former employee of a UK consulate captured in 2019 amid significant controversy.
The situation has become increasingly dire for pro-democracy activists, especially after a Hong Kong court sentenced numerous leaders to lengthy prison terms for subversion last November, following a highly criticized trial. The UK has seen a sizable influx of Hong Kong residents since a special visa scheme was launched in 2021, with around 150,000 relocating to the country.
In the face of these aggressive moves from Hong Kong, Lammy and Cooper reiterated the UK’s commitment to standing by the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, including recent immigrants. They emphasized that the protection of these rights and the safety of individuals in the UK remain paramount, citing efforts to sever any existing ties with the Hong Kong extradition framework under the Extradition Act 2003.
