The Impact Of Postponement Of Extradition Treaty, Britain Could Be Heaven For Hong Kong Fugitives

Illustrated photo (Artur Kornakov / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Britain will become a "paradise" for Hong Kong citizens who are considered to be involved in anti-government protests in 2019. This was conveyed directly by the Hong Kong authorities amid plans Britain to postpone the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.

The report comes after British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab indicated he would expose the postponement of the agreement in parliament following the National Security Act (Act) enacted for Hong Kong on June 30. British lawmakers fear extradition arrangements could be exploited by Hong Kong to carry out future political persecution.

Since the National Security Act was passed, the UK government has also announced it will offer wider residence rights, which could pave the way to citizenship to British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders.

At least two anti-government protesters facing criminal charges have been stopped at Hong Kong's airport since then. They were interrupted when they tried to board a flight to London.

Former Hong Kong Security Minister Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said: I think the suspension is meant to protect fugitives involved in last year's riots and other criminal offenses that our police chase.

A source from the government official, who asked not to be identified, said the Hong Kong government was not surprised by the extradition suspension since Britain offered residency rights to BNO passport holders.

BNO passport

Little explanation. The BNO passport was first issued in 1987 and closed in 1997. Under the current rules BNO passport holders are allowed to stay in the UK for up to six months. Those holding BNO passports are granted visa-free travel to 118 countries.

Several Hong Kong activists have flown to the UK. One of them is a 17 year old woman. However, he was stopped at Hong Kong International Airport on Friday, July 17 after trying to get bail for allegedly assaulting an officer at an anti-government protest in September 2019.

In early July, police boarded a Cathay Pacific plane bound for Britain to arrest a man accused of stabbing an officer in a National Security Act protest. He was charged with injuring someone on purpose.

Britain will become the third member of the Five Eyes country to decide on extradition arrangements with Hong Kong. Canada and Australia previously suspended their agreement, citing fears of political persecution. New Zealand said it was reassessing the arrangement as part of a "review" of its relationship with Hong Kong.

Former Director of Public Prosecution Grenville Cross called the British move a "step backwards". He also said Britain's decision appeared to have been driven by its interest in siding with the US for better economic prospects after exiting the European Union.

Unlike Johnny Patterson. The director of Hong Kong Watch, a UK-based group that monitors human rights, said the UK's decision was very right.

"National Security Laws, such as the Extradition Bill completely destroy constitutional protections protecting human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong," he said, adding that Britain could no longer guarantee that people extradited to Hong Kong would receive a fair trial.

Photo: Unsplash Chris Lawton