Exiled Hong Kong legislator calls for action after HSBC bank accounts frozen
Source: The Guardian #Dec07
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Source: The Guardian #Dec07
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Exiled Hong Kong legislator calls for action after HSBC bank accounts frozen
Ted Hui is the latest pro-democracy figure to leave Hong Kong amid the escalating crackdown on dissent. He revealed on weekend that bank accounts belonging to him and his family had been frozen, which he labelled “political retaliation through economic oppression”.
Following an outcry, Hui said his family’s accounts were partially unfrozen late on Sunday. He said the family were moving funds to other institutions “because of their complete distrust in HSBC”, and he called on regulators to investigate and punish law enforcement officers and banking management who he accused of abusing the law.
The HSBC accounts were frozen again under police orders. Police also said Hui was suspected of “foreign collusion” over social media posts in recants days seeking international support for Hong Kong.
Hui earlier said the asset freezing reflected what banks could do “as a result of political pressure”. And this affected the credibility of Hong Kong as an international banking and finance hub.
Source: The Guardian #Dec07
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/exiled-hong-kong-legislator-calls-for-inquiry-after-hsbc-freezes-bank-account?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#HongKongLegislator #TedHui #HSBC #HongKong #NationalSecurtiyLaw
Ted Hui is the latest pro-democracy figure to leave Hong Kong amid the escalating crackdown on dissent. He revealed on weekend that bank accounts belonging to him and his family had been frozen, which he labelled “political retaliation through economic oppression”.
Following an outcry, Hui said his family’s accounts were partially unfrozen late on Sunday. He said the family were moving funds to other institutions “because of their complete distrust in HSBC”, and he called on regulators to investigate and punish law enforcement officers and banking management who he accused of abusing the law.
The HSBC accounts were frozen again under police orders. Police also said Hui was suspected of “foreign collusion” over social media posts in recants days seeking international support for Hong Kong.
Hui earlier said the asset freezing reflected what banks could do “as a result of political pressure”. And this affected the credibility of Hong Kong as an international banking and finance hub.
Source: The Guardian #Dec07
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/exiled-hong-kong-legislator-calls-for-inquiry-after-hsbc-freezes-bank-account?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#HongKongLegislator #TedHui #HSBC #HongKong #NationalSecurtiyLaw
the Guardian
Exiled Hong Kong legislator calls for action after HSBC bank accounts frozen
Ted Hui says move by UK’s biggest bank is act of ‘oppression’ as eight more democracy activists are arrested
'Stronger together': Taiwan foreign minister urges new alliance against China
Taiwan foreign minister , Joseph Wu says Beijing is seeking to expand its ‘authoritarian order’ and calls for ‘like-minded’ nations to act together to protect Taiwan.
Wu warned partners including the US, Europe, Japan and Australia, that if Taiwan were to “fall prey to China” it would greatly expand Beijing’s reach into the Pacific region and significantly impact the world order. Also, he said Taiwan wanted to show the international community and China that it was “absolutely determined to defend ourselves”, and that it had the responsibility, will and capability.
Source: The Guardian #Dec07
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/stronger-together-taiwan-foreign-minister-urges-new-alliance-against-china?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#China #Taiwan #TaiwanChinaWar
Taiwan foreign minister , Joseph Wu says Beijing is seeking to expand its ‘authoritarian order’ and calls for ‘like-minded’ nations to act together to protect Taiwan.
Wu warned partners including the US, Europe, Japan and Australia, that if Taiwan were to “fall prey to China” it would greatly expand Beijing’s reach into the Pacific region and significantly impact the world order. Also, he said Taiwan wanted to show the international community and China that it was “absolutely determined to defend ourselves”, and that it had the responsibility, will and capability.
Source: The Guardian #Dec07
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/07/stronger-together-taiwan-foreign-minister-urges-new-alliance-against-china?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
#China #Taiwan #TaiwanChinaWar
The EU’s 27 Member Countries Launch European “Magnitsky Act” to Sanction Human Rights Offenders, But Experts Worry Sanctions Against Powerful Countries Could be Difficult
Source: Stand News #Dec07
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Source: Stand News #Dec07
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The EU’s 27 Member Countries Launch European “Magnitsky Act” to Sanction Human Rights Offenders, But Experts Worry Sanctions Against Powerful Countries Could be Difficult
The 27 member states of the European Union (EU) passed the European “Magnitsky Act” today (Dec 7) to set up a global human rights sanctions regime similar to those of the US, the UK and Canada. The act imposes sanctions such as travel restrictions and the freezing of funds on individuals committing serious human rights violations worldwide. After the bill was passed, the Council was to review the situation of Hong Kong under the national security law as well. The Wall Street Journal quoted a foreign affairs official in stating that whether the EU would impose sanctions on China for human rights abuses in Xinjiang would be the major challenge to the new act in the future.
The Council of the EU indicated that the global human rights sanctions regime that was passed this time was the first sanction system to be established by the EU. It targets individuals, entities, institutions and countries to keep them responsible for actions of severe human rights violations and abuses. The measures include travelling limitations, the freezing of funds and restrictions on fund transfers to and from those sanctioned. The Council will formulate, review and revise its sanctions list based on proposals from the 27 member states or the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The global human rights sanction regime targets crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations and abuses, such as torture, slavery, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests or detentions.
Source: Stand News #Dec07
https://bit.ly/38jYNNm
#EuropeanUnion #EU #MagnitskyAct #Magnitsky #humanrights #humanrightsabuses #UnitedStates #US #UK #Canada #NationalSecurityLaw #HongKong #Xinjiang #China
The 27 member states of the European Union (EU) passed the European “Magnitsky Act” today (Dec 7) to set up a global human rights sanctions regime similar to those of the US, the UK and Canada. The act imposes sanctions such as travel restrictions and the freezing of funds on individuals committing serious human rights violations worldwide. After the bill was passed, the Council was to review the situation of Hong Kong under the national security law as well. The Wall Street Journal quoted a foreign affairs official in stating that whether the EU would impose sanctions on China for human rights abuses in Xinjiang would be the major challenge to the new act in the future.
The Council of the EU indicated that the global human rights sanctions regime that was passed this time was the first sanction system to be established by the EU. It targets individuals, entities, institutions and countries to keep them responsible for actions of severe human rights violations and abuses. The measures include travelling limitations, the freezing of funds and restrictions on fund transfers to and from those sanctioned. The Council will formulate, review and revise its sanctions list based on proposals from the 27 member states or the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The global human rights sanction regime targets crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations and abuses, such as torture, slavery, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests or detentions.
Source: Stand News #Dec07
https://bit.ly/38jYNNm
#EuropeanUnion #EU #MagnitskyAct #Magnitsky #humanrights #humanrightsabuses #UnitedStates #US #UK #Canada #NationalSecurityLaw #HongKong #Xinjiang #China
Australian Bipartisan Inquiry Proposes Human Rights Accountability Law to Prohibit Entry and Confiscate Assets of Human Rights Offenders
Source: Stand News #Dec07
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Source: Stand News #Dec07
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Australian Bipartisan Inquiry Proposes Human Rights Accountability Law to Prohibit Entry and Confiscate Assets of Human Rights Offenders
A bipartisan parliamentary inquiry in Australia was to suggest the Morrison government to enact a new bill akin to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Once the bill is passed, it will give the government the power to impose visa and asset sanctions on individuals who commit serious human rights violations or corruption.
Sources from the government have confirmed with local media Herald Sun and The Sunday Age that it would set up a new sanction system in the coming new year, but at the same time emphasized that it would first review the new report to be released by the inquiry this week. The report includes a draft legislation developed by Australian human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson for the government’s reference.
The inquiry suggested that an independent oversight committee composed of experts be established with regards to human rights violations. The committee would give the government its recommendations for individuals to sanction, and the foreign minister may decide corresponding sanctions upon considering factors such as national security, trading and diplomatic relations.
#Australia #China #humanrights #sanction #Morrison #GeoffreyRobertson #Robertson #ScottMorrison #HeraldSun #TheSundayAge #Magnitsky #MagnitskyAct #GlobalMagnitskyHumanRightsAccountabilityAct
Source: Stand News #Dec07
https://bit.ly/3awyE0i
A bipartisan parliamentary inquiry in Australia was to suggest the Morrison government to enact a new bill akin to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Once the bill is passed, it will give the government the power to impose visa and asset sanctions on individuals who commit serious human rights violations or corruption.
Sources from the government have confirmed with local media Herald Sun and The Sunday Age that it would set up a new sanction system in the coming new year, but at the same time emphasized that it would first review the new report to be released by the inquiry this week. The report includes a draft legislation developed by Australian human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson for the government’s reference.
The inquiry suggested that an independent oversight committee composed of experts be established with regards to human rights violations. The committee would give the government its recommendations for individuals to sanction, and the foreign minister may decide corresponding sanctions upon considering factors such as national security, trading and diplomatic relations.
#Australia #China #humanrights #sanction #Morrison #GeoffreyRobertson #Robertson #ScottMorrison #HeraldSun #TheSundayAge #Magnitsky #MagnitskyAct #GlobalMagnitskyHumanRightsAccountabilityAct
Source: Stand News #Dec07
https://bit.ly/3awyE0i
Australian Economy Is Too Dependent on China and Needs Diversification, Says Senate Opposition Leader
Source: Stand News #Dec07
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Source: Stand News #Dec07
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Australian Economy Is Too Dependent on China and Needs Diversification, Says Senate Opposition Leader
Under Australia's new foreign relations law, which allows the federal government to veto pacts between states and overseas governments or institutions, it is expected that agreements on the ‘Belt and Road’ (‘B&R’) initiative and Confucian Institutes between local governments and China will be voided. Penny Wong, leader of the opposition Labor Party in the Senate, said on 7 December that she hopes the federal and Victorian governments will have “sensible discussions” regarding the latter’s ‘B&R’ agreement. While stressing the need for a new economic strategy where Australia will work with other countries, Wong fell short of signalling a revocation of Victoria’s ‘B&R’ agreement.
As Victoria’s ‘B&R’ agreement with China faces the prospect of being suspended, Wong said in an interview with the ABC that she thinks the federal government “should try to resolve this in a way that respects engagement with the state government and that recognises that China will observe how this is handled carefully”.
Adding that the Labor Party supports the Liberal government in opposing Victoria’s ‘B&R’ initiative, Wong did not indicate specifically that the agreement will be unilaterally cancelled. Wong suggested that instead of considering how Australia can fix its relationship with China, it needs a strategy to diversify its economy and cooperate with other countries in the region given that it is now too reliant on China.
Source: Stand News #Dec07
#Australia #Victoria #China #OneBeltOneRoad #BeltAndRoad #PennyWong #Labor #Diplomacy #Economy #Trade
https://bit.ly/38ES1Sa
Under Australia's new foreign relations law, which allows the federal government to veto pacts between states and overseas governments or institutions, it is expected that agreements on the ‘Belt and Road’ (‘B&R’) initiative and Confucian Institutes between local governments and China will be voided. Penny Wong, leader of the opposition Labor Party in the Senate, said on 7 December that she hopes the federal and Victorian governments will have “sensible discussions” regarding the latter’s ‘B&R’ agreement. While stressing the need for a new economic strategy where Australia will work with other countries, Wong fell short of signalling a revocation of Victoria’s ‘B&R’ agreement.
As Victoria’s ‘B&R’ agreement with China faces the prospect of being suspended, Wong said in an interview with the ABC that she thinks the federal government “should try to resolve this in a way that respects engagement with the state government and that recognises that China will observe how this is handled carefully”.
Adding that the Labor Party supports the Liberal government in opposing Victoria’s ‘B&R’ initiative, Wong did not indicate specifically that the agreement will be unilaterally cancelled. Wong suggested that instead of considering how Australia can fix its relationship with China, it needs a strategy to diversify its economy and cooperate with other countries in the region given that it is now too reliant on China.
Source: Stand News #Dec07
#Australia #Victoria #China #OneBeltOneRoad #BeltAndRoad #PennyWong #Labor #Diplomacy #Economy #Trade
https://bit.ly/38ES1Sa