Why should Britain help Hong Kong people put on face masks
It is more than preventing the spread of COVID-19.
When in October last year Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced a sweeping ban on face masks at protests, Hong Kong people responded by filling streets with their faces wearing paint, cartoon masks, and even paper bags.
Lam's Prohibition of Face Covering Regulation was introduced through an oppressive colonial-era emergency law － the Emergency Regulations Ordinance (Cap. 241), enacted in 1922.
Authorities are empowered by that law to censor the media; seize property; take control of all transportation, manufacturing and trade in the city; and detain people for lengthy periods of time.
Legal experts argue that the original emergency laws such as Cap. 241 were inconsistent with the Basic Law, which is the de facto constitution of Hong Kong.
As a treaty between the PRC and Britain, the Sino-British Joint Declaration provides that the basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong after 1997 will be stipulated in the Basic Law, and will remain unchanged for 50 years.
The above-stated basic policies include that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy; the then life-style will remain unchanged; and rights and freedoms of the person, of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of travel, of movement, of correspondence, of strike, etc. will be ensured by law in Hong Kong.
Constitutional critics worry that Lam has set an abysmal example in that the leader may arbitrarily pass legal regulations without consultation, and she may even extend the restriction to a curfew or martial law. Is it justifiable for Lam to invoke the emergency ordinance without public consultation or voting by the legislature?
The purpose of the Emergency Regulations Ordinance was to put Hong Kong under tight colonial control by the British empire. Given Hong Kong is not a colony anymore, its use by Carrie Lam becomes more questionable.
The colonial-era Emergency Regulations Ordinance grants extensive powers to the Chief Executive to pass measures on ambiguous grounds such as 'public emergency' and 'serious public disorder.' Neither of these terms are clearly defined, and they could be interpreted broadly or even arbitrarily. Further, it raises the question of why Lam invoked the emergency law to ban wearing masks in protests while insisting that Hong Kong was not under a state of emergency?
When the Basic Law, being part and parcel of the Joint Declaration, is contravened under the influence of the Chinese government, the British government should put it right.
British politician Paddy Ashdown emphasized that the UK must denounce the abuse of colonial laws. He also considered that colonial-era laws could be tools of the armoury of authoritarian regimes.
Likewise, Chris Patten, Britain’s last colonial governor of Hong Kong, stated that “I hope we can … count on the British government to call out China for its breaches of the [Sino-British] Joint Declaration and to watch carefully for future attempts by Beijing to undermine the rule of law and to corrupt the electoral process in the months ahead.”
“Britain has the right to raise any breaches with China after 1997. We would not hesitate to do so”, the then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stated in 1984.
Thus, Britain should and can rectify Hong Kong's situation by exercising its rights as a party to the treaty Sino-British Joint Declaration.
It is about commitment, commitment of the former sovereign state of Hong Kong.
#HongKong #UK
#SinoBritishJointDeclaration
#BasicLaw #China
Source:
http://www.mjilonline.org/china-uk-and-their-sino-british-joint-declaration/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/30/chris-patten-urges-uk-investigate-coronavirus-origins-china
https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap241
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/04/asia/hong-kong-face-mask-ban-meeting-intl-hnk/index.html
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/britain-warns-china-if-hong-kong-agreement-not-honoured-as-beijing-condemns-violence
It is more than preventing the spread of COVID-19.
When in October last year Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced a sweeping ban on face masks at protests, Hong Kong people responded by filling streets with their faces wearing paint, cartoon masks, and even paper bags.
Lam's Prohibition of Face Covering Regulation was introduced through an oppressive colonial-era emergency law － the Emergency Regulations Ordinance (Cap. 241), enacted in 1922.
Authorities are empowered by that law to censor the media; seize property; take control of all transportation, manufacturing and trade in the city; and detain people for lengthy periods of time.
Legal experts argue that the original emergency laws such as Cap. 241 were inconsistent with the Basic Law, which is the de facto constitution of Hong Kong.
As a treaty between the PRC and Britain, the Sino-British Joint Declaration provides that the basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong after 1997 will be stipulated in the Basic Law, and will remain unchanged for 50 years.
The above-stated basic policies include that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy; the then life-style will remain unchanged; and rights and freedoms of the person, of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of travel, of movement, of correspondence, of strike, etc. will be ensured by law in Hong Kong.
Constitutional critics worry that Lam has set an abysmal example in that the leader may arbitrarily pass legal regulations without consultation, and she may even extend the restriction to a curfew or martial law. Is it justifiable for Lam to invoke the emergency ordinance without public consultation or voting by the legislature?
The purpose of the Emergency Regulations Ordinance was to put Hong Kong under tight colonial control by the British empire. Given Hong Kong is not a colony anymore, its use by Carrie Lam becomes more questionable.
The colonial-era Emergency Regulations Ordinance grants extensive powers to the Chief Executive to pass measures on ambiguous grounds such as 'public emergency' and 'serious public disorder.' Neither of these terms are clearly defined, and they could be interpreted broadly or even arbitrarily. Further, it raises the question of why Lam invoked the emergency law to ban wearing masks in protests while insisting that Hong Kong was not under a state of emergency?
When the Basic Law, being part and parcel of the Joint Declaration, is contravened under the influence of the Chinese government, the British government should put it right.
British politician Paddy Ashdown emphasized that the UK must denounce the abuse of colonial laws. He also considered that colonial-era laws could be tools of the armoury of authoritarian regimes.
Likewise, Chris Patten, Britain’s last colonial governor of Hong Kong, stated that “I hope we can … count on the British government to call out China for its breaches of the [Sino-British] Joint Declaration and to watch carefully for future attempts by Beijing to undermine the rule of law and to corrupt the electoral process in the months ahead.”
“Britain has the right to raise any breaches with China after 1997. We would not hesitate to do so”, the then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stated in 1984.
Thus, Britain should and can rectify Hong Kong's situation by exercising its rights as a party to the treaty Sino-British Joint Declaration.
It is about commitment, commitment of the former sovereign state of Hong Kong.
#HongKong #UK
#SinoBritishJointDeclaration
#BasicLaw #China
Source:
http://www.mjilonline.org/china-uk-and-their-sino-british-joint-declaration/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/30/chris-patten-urges-uk-investigate-coronavirus-origins-china
https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap241
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/04/asia/hong-kong-face-mask-ban-meeting-intl-hnk/index.html
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/britain-warns-china-if-hong-kong-agreement-not-honoured-as-beijing-condemns-violence
The Michigan Journal of International Law
China, UK, and Their Sino-British Joint Declaration — The Michigan Journal of International Law
Kay Li Vol. 41 Associate Editor This is the sixth month of the ongoing series of protests in Hong Kong, […]
#Newspaper
[Hong Kong's National Security Law] CY Leung: Hong Kong may set up intelligence agency like "Special Branch". Wu Chi-wai: Like Germany's "Gestapo"
(24 May)In an interview with Reuters, former Chief Executive CY Leung mentioned that the Central Government may set up a local intelligence agency in Hong Kong similar to the Special Branch of its colonial era. It may authorise Hong Kong law enforcement bodies to enforce "Hong Kong's National Security Law". He added that Hong Kong had a Special Branch to deal with national security threats during the British colonial period, which was dismantled in 1997 before the Handover.
Albert Ho questioned whether the "secret police" would command Hong Kong police
In response, Democratic Party Chairman Wu Chi-wai lambasted Leung for "spewing nonsense". Leung took the example of similar national security agencies in other countries to support the establishment of a national security agency in Hong Kong. Regarding this, Wu stressed that the political power of the countries mentioned came from election by its people. "It is not for the rule of man to decide who is right or wrong." He emphasised that the Central Government's establishment of law enforcement units in Hong Kong was equivalent to creating the Eastern Depot from the Ming Dynasty or the Gestapo, Nazi Germany's secret police, in Hong Kong, i.e. the establishment of an arbitrary Central Government Secret Service in Hong Kong.
Wu continued his criticism, the Chinese government's implementation of "Hong Kong's National Security Law" meant applying the rule of man approach from the Mainland to Hong Kong. It would be like opening the " 'front door' to the legal system between Hong Kong and China" so that "secret police" could enforce the law across the border. This would undermine "one country, two systems" both "in form and in name" and allow the arbitrary conviction of Hongkongers.
Albert Ho, Chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, slammed the Chinese government for blatantly violating the Sino-British Joint Declaration and reneging on its promise that Hong Kong shall remain unchanged for 50 years, "shocking the whole world". If Hong Kong were to set up something akin to the colonial era's Special Branch, which side of the law would that "secret police" enforce? Would the enforcement agency be responsible for commanding the Hong Kong Police Force? So far, the details are vague. Ho said the current situation "may not have reached its worst". He questioned the government, "Under what circumstances should Hong Kong's (international) status be preserved?"
Source: Apple Daily News
https://bit.ly/3gprkEb
#China #NationalSecurityLaw #OneCountryOneSystem #Gestapo #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
[Hong Kong's National Security Law] CY Leung: Hong Kong may set up intelligence agency like "Special Branch". Wu Chi-wai: Like Germany's "Gestapo"
(24 May)In an interview with Reuters, former Chief Executive CY Leung mentioned that the Central Government may set up a local intelligence agency in Hong Kong similar to the Special Branch of its colonial era. It may authorise Hong Kong law enforcement bodies to enforce "Hong Kong's National Security Law". He added that Hong Kong had a Special Branch to deal with national security threats during the British colonial period, which was dismantled in 1997 before the Handover.
Albert Ho questioned whether the "secret police" would command Hong Kong police
In response, Democratic Party Chairman Wu Chi-wai lambasted Leung for "spewing nonsense". Leung took the example of similar national security agencies in other countries to support the establishment of a national security agency in Hong Kong. Regarding this, Wu stressed that the political power of the countries mentioned came from election by its people. "It is not for the rule of man to decide who is right or wrong." He emphasised that the Central Government's establishment of law enforcement units in Hong Kong was equivalent to creating the Eastern Depot from the Ming Dynasty or the Gestapo, Nazi Germany's secret police, in Hong Kong, i.e. the establishment of an arbitrary Central Government Secret Service in Hong Kong.
Wu continued his criticism, the Chinese government's implementation of "Hong Kong's National Security Law" meant applying the rule of man approach from the Mainland to Hong Kong. It would be like opening the " 'front door' to the legal system between Hong Kong and China" so that "secret police" could enforce the law across the border. This would undermine "one country, two systems" both "in form and in name" and allow the arbitrary conviction of Hongkongers.
Albert Ho, Chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, slammed the Chinese government for blatantly violating the Sino-British Joint Declaration and reneging on its promise that Hong Kong shall remain unchanged for 50 years, "shocking the whole world". If Hong Kong were to set up something akin to the colonial era's Special Branch, which side of the law would that "secret police" enforce? Would the enforcement agency be responsible for commanding the Hong Kong Police Force? So far, the details are vague. Ho said the current situation "may not have reached its worst". He questioned the government, "Under what circumstances should Hong Kong's (international) status be preserved?"
Source: Apple Daily News
https://bit.ly/3gprkEb
#China #NationalSecurityLaw #OneCountryOneSystem #Gestapo #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
#1Country1System
All Dead
Including the Joint Declaration
Photo from Facebook
#May28 #SinoBritishJointDeclaration #AllDead
All Dead
Including the Joint Declaration
Photo from Facebook
#May28 #SinoBritishJointDeclaration #AllDead
#Newspaper
Hong Kong: Boris Johnson urged to form alliance over China security law
//Seven former UK foreign secretaries have urged Boris Johnson to form a global alliance to co-ordinate the response to the China-Hong Kong crisis.
//The former British colony enjoys some freedoms not seen in mainland China - and these are set out in a mini-constitution called the Basic Law.
//In their letter to the prime minister, the cross-party group of former cabinet ministers says the UK government must be seen to lead the international response, as many countries take their cue from Britain over its former colony.
//Jeremy Hunt, David Miliband, Jack Straw, William Hague, Malcolm Rifkind, David Owen and Margaret Beckett all expressed their concern at what they call China's "flagrant breach" of Sino-British agreements by imposing tough national security laws on Hong Kong.
// They urged Mr Johnson to set up an "international contact group" of allies to coordinate any joint action.
//A Downing Street spokesman insisted the government was already playing a leading role with international partners in urging China to think again.
//Mr Raab said the new security legislation "very clearly violates" the autonomy that is guaranteed under Chinese law as well as that in the 1997 agreement. He confirmed the UK will allow those who hold British National (Overseas) (BNO) passports to come to the UK and apply to study and work for an extendable 12-month period.This will in turn "provide a path to citizenship
//Mr Raab said up to three million people registered as a British national (overseas) in Hong Kong could be eligible for UK citizenship if China presses ahead with the law.
//the chairman of Commons foreign affairs committee, Tom Tugendhat, said the government must realise that China has a "very, very authoritarian system of government" and should rethink the partnership between the two.
Full Article: BBC News, (01-Jun)
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52872131
Further reading:
Seven former foreign secretaries urge UK to take lead on Hong Kong
https://bit.ly/2U9lhtS
#HongKong #NationalSecurityLaw #BNO #SinoBritishJointDeclaration #Britishcolony #China
Hong Kong: Boris Johnson urged to form alliance over China security law
//Seven former UK foreign secretaries have urged Boris Johnson to form a global alliance to co-ordinate the response to the China-Hong Kong crisis.
//The former British colony enjoys some freedoms not seen in mainland China - and these are set out in a mini-constitution called the Basic Law.
//In their letter to the prime minister, the cross-party group of former cabinet ministers says the UK government must be seen to lead the international response, as many countries take their cue from Britain over its former colony.
//Jeremy Hunt, David Miliband, Jack Straw, William Hague, Malcolm Rifkind, David Owen and Margaret Beckett all expressed their concern at what they call China's "flagrant breach" of Sino-British agreements by imposing tough national security laws on Hong Kong.
// They urged Mr Johnson to set up an "international contact group" of allies to coordinate any joint action.
//A Downing Street spokesman insisted the government was already playing a leading role with international partners in urging China to think again.
//Mr Raab said the new security legislation "very clearly violates" the autonomy that is guaranteed under Chinese law as well as that in the 1997 agreement. He confirmed the UK will allow those who hold British National (Overseas) (BNO) passports to come to the UK and apply to study and work for an extendable 12-month period.This will in turn "provide a path to citizenship
//Mr Raab said up to three million people registered as a British national (overseas) in Hong Kong could be eligible for UK citizenship if China presses ahead with the law.
//the chairman of Commons foreign affairs committee, Tom Tugendhat, said the government must realise that China has a "very, very authoritarian system of government" and should rethink the partnership between the two.
Full Article: BBC News, (01-Jun)
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52872131
Further reading:
Seven former foreign secretaries urge UK to take lead on Hong Kong
https://bit.ly/2U9lhtS
#HongKong #NationalSecurityLaw #BNO #SinoBritishJointDeclaration #Britishcolony #China
BBC News
Hong Kong: Boris Johnson urged to form alliance over China security law
The UK should be leading the response to China's treatment of Hong Kong, seven former foreign secretaries say.
#BorisJohnson #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
UK must be able to raise Hong Kong, COVID issues with China, says Boris Johnson
//British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that Britain must able to speak out about "serious concerns" about the origins of COVID-19, Hong Kong and the country's critical national infrastructure with China.
"We must feel absolutely free to raise those issues loud and clear with Beijing and that's what we will continue to do," Johnson told parliament.//
Source: Reuters #Jun10
Photo: Telegraph
#CoronavirusPandemic #UK #Beijing
UK must be able to raise Hong Kong, COVID issues with China, says Boris Johnson
//British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that Britain must able to speak out about "serious concerns" about the origins of COVID-19, Hong Kong and the country's critical national infrastructure with China.
"We must feel absolutely free to raise those issues loud and clear with Beijing and that's what we will continue to do," Johnson told parliament.//
Source: Reuters #Jun10
Photo: Telegraph
#CoronavirusPandemic #UK #Beijing
#Save12 #BringThemBack
British Lawmakers Condemn China for Breaching Sino-British Joint Declaration
In the 12 Hong Kongers case, 10 adult defendants were sentenced to seven months to three years in prison in Yantian, Shenzhen on December 30, 2020. The other two minors were handed over to the Hong Kong police. The Hong Kong police stated that they could charge them with offence of failing to surrender to custody as shall have been appointed.
The “All-Party Parliamentary Group Hong Kong” of the British Parliament issued a statement on Dec 30, 2020, criticizing the incident as a fierce attack on Hong Kong people’s freedom and is a repeated violation of the "Sino-British Joint Declaration”. The group reiterated that Britain will continue to fight for freedom for Hong Kong people.
Baroness Bennett and Alistair Carmichael, co-chairs of the "All-Party Parliamentary Group Hong Kong” of the British Parliament, said that the arrests represented how Hong Kong people’s freedom were being attacked and was another "shocking" violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. “It seems likly they are hoping to warn all the pro-democracy activists, politicians and leaders and show that these people cannot escape the strict National Security Law through these arrests,” they said.
The group states that they hope to send a clear and firm message to Hong Kong people: "We in the UK will not stop fighting for your freedom. We welcome BNO passport holders to live in the UK, where your rights and freedoms will be protected instead of being weaponized.”
The organization "Stand with Hong Kong" also stated that the sentence was unacceptable. They believed that the only "crime" committed by these brave young people was to speak out for democracy and freedom and to protect their own safety. The organization calls on the international community to hold the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities responsible for their violations of the international human rights law.
Source: Stand News #Dec30
#SinoBritishJointDeclaration
British Lawmakers Condemn China for Breaching Sino-British Joint Declaration
In the 12 Hong Kongers case, 10 adult defendants were sentenced to seven months to three years in prison in Yantian, Shenzhen on December 30, 2020. The other two minors were handed over to the Hong Kong police. The Hong Kong police stated that they could charge them with offence of failing to surrender to custody as shall have been appointed.
The “All-Party Parliamentary Group Hong Kong” of the British Parliament issued a statement on Dec 30, 2020, criticizing the incident as a fierce attack on Hong Kong people’s freedom and is a repeated violation of the "Sino-British Joint Declaration”. The group reiterated that Britain will continue to fight for freedom for Hong Kong people.
Baroness Bennett and Alistair Carmichael, co-chairs of the "All-Party Parliamentary Group Hong Kong” of the British Parliament, said that the arrests represented how Hong Kong people’s freedom were being attacked and was another "shocking" violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. “It seems likly they are hoping to warn all the pro-democracy activists, politicians and leaders and show that these people cannot escape the strict National Security Law through these arrests,” they said.
The group states that they hope to send a clear and firm message to Hong Kong people: "We in the UK will not stop fighting for your freedom. We welcome BNO passport holders to live in the UK, where your rights and freedoms will be protected instead of being weaponized.”
The organization "Stand with Hong Kong" also stated that the sentence was unacceptable. They believed that the only "crime" committed by these brave young people was to speak out for democracy and freedom and to protect their own safety. The organization calls on the international community to hold the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities responsible for their violations of the international human rights law.
Source: Stand News #Dec30
#SinoBritishJointDeclaration
Letter: EU should heed lessons of Hong Kong in China deal
The EU thinks that the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) can bind China into better labour practices and fairer trade practices. This is an utter delusion.
In 2020, China demonstrated how they renege on its treaty-bound obligations to keep Hong Kong free for fifty years. It is disappointing to learn that the city-state’s death-knell does not teach the world anything about China.
Source: FT #Jan05
https://www.ft.com/content/d2b7b9f8-7d56-416d-9098-a0cca2dc6b8b
#SinoBritishJointDeclaration #HongKong #EU #China
The EU thinks that the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) can bind China into better labour practices and fairer trade practices. This is an utter delusion.
In 2020, China demonstrated how they renege on its treaty-bound obligations to keep Hong Kong free for fifty years. It is disappointing to learn that the city-state’s death-knell does not teach the world anything about China.
Source: FT #Jan05
https://www.ft.com/content/d2b7b9f8-7d56-416d-9098-a0cca2dc6b8b
#SinoBritishJointDeclaration #HongKong #EU #China
China no longer accepts BNO as travel and identification document, stating it "is not the original BNO anymore"
Source: Stand News, #Jan29
#BNO #CCP #UK #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
Read More: ⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28251
Source: Stand News, #Jan29
#BNO #CCP #UK #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
Read More: ⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28251
China no longer accepts BNO as travel and identification document, stating it "is not the original BNO anymore"
Today (29 Jan, 2021), the UK government published details of British National Overseas (BNO) visa application. In a press conference in the afternoon of the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China declared that BNO passport would not be recognized as a travel document and Hong Kong identification document from 31 Jan.
Lijian Zhao, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, denounced that the UK went back on their promise by disregarding Hong Kong's 24-year reunification to China and the stance of China. "BNO visa is customized for Hong Kong citizens who can stay in the UK and apply for UK citizenship," Zhao said. Also, the UK government intended to turn Hongkongers to "second-class British citizens" by further expanding the scope of BNO visa, which original nature was completely changed.
Zhao continued that BNO mentioned by the UK government at the moment was not the original BNO anymore. This action severely invaded China's sovereignty and interfered in Hong Kong general affairs and China internal affairs. It violated the international law and basic norms of international relations, expressing "great indignation and firm objection."
Source: Stand News, #Jan29
#BNO #CCP #UK #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
Today (29 Jan, 2021), the UK government published details of British National Overseas (BNO) visa application. In a press conference in the afternoon of the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China declared that BNO passport would not be recognized as a travel document and Hong Kong identification document from 31 Jan.
Lijian Zhao, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, denounced that the UK went back on their promise by disregarding Hong Kong's 24-year reunification to China and the stance of China. "BNO visa is customized for Hong Kong citizens who can stay in the UK and apply for UK citizenship," Zhao said. Also, the UK government intended to turn Hongkongers to "second-class British citizens" by further expanding the scope of BNO visa, which original nature was completely changed.
Zhao continued that BNO mentioned by the UK government at the moment was not the original BNO anymore. This action severely invaded China's sovereignty and interfered in Hong Kong general affairs and China internal affairs. It violated the international law and basic norms of international relations, expressing "great indignation and firm objection."
Source: Stand News, #Jan29
#BNO #CCP #UK #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
#CCPControl #Regime
British Foreign Secretary: China Breaches the Sino-British Joint Declaration Continuously
On March 13, 2021, British Foreign Secretary #DominicRaab issued another statement, shortly following the first one two days ago on March 11, 2021 in which he slammed Beijing’s decision to impose radical changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system a clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration.
Raab wrote in the statement that “this is part of a pattern designed to harass and stifle all voices critical of China’s policies and is the third breach of the Joint Declaration in less than nine months.”
He further stated that, “the Chinese authorities’ continued action means I must now report that the UK considers Beijing to be in a state of ongoing non-compliance with the Joint Declaration - a demonstration of the growing gulf between Beijing’s promises and its actions.”
In closing, Raab reiterated UK’s support to Hong Kong, saying that “the UK will continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong. China must act in accordance with its legal obligations and respect fundamental rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.”
Immediately following the National People's Conference's (#NPC) resolution to impose an electoral overhaul on Hong Kong, Dominic Raab made a statement on March 11, 2021 saying that the latest step by Beijing would “hollow out the space for democratic debate in Hong Kong, contrary to the promises made by China itself.”
Several MPs of UK parliament, however, disparaged the British Government for paying mere lip-service and questioned whether the Government would impose #sanction over concerning officials in Hong Kong based on the Magninisky Human Rights Act.
#MagniniskyAct #SinoBritishJointDeclaration #ElectoralOverhaul
Source: Stand News #Mar13
https://bit.ly/3f18WU9
British Foreign Secretary: China Breaches the Sino-British Joint Declaration Continuously
On March 13, 2021, British Foreign Secretary #DominicRaab issued another statement, shortly following the first one two days ago on March 11, 2021 in which he slammed Beijing’s decision to impose radical changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system a clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration.
Raab wrote in the statement that “this is part of a pattern designed to harass and stifle all voices critical of China’s policies and is the third breach of the Joint Declaration in less than nine months.”
He further stated that, “the Chinese authorities’ continued action means I must now report that the UK considers Beijing to be in a state of ongoing non-compliance with the Joint Declaration - a demonstration of the growing gulf between Beijing’s promises and its actions.”
In closing, Raab reiterated UK’s support to Hong Kong, saying that “the UK will continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong. China must act in accordance with its legal obligations and respect fundamental rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.”
Immediately following the National People's Conference's (#NPC) resolution to impose an electoral overhaul on Hong Kong, Dominic Raab made a statement on March 11, 2021 saying that the latest step by Beijing would “hollow out the space for democratic debate in Hong Kong, contrary to the promises made by China itself.”
Several MPs of UK parliament, however, disparaged the British Government for paying mere lip-service and questioned whether the Government would impose #sanction over concerning officials in Hong Kong based on the Magninisky Human Rights Act.
#MagniniskyAct #SinoBritishJointDeclaration #ElectoralOverhaul
Source: Stand News #Mar13
https://bit.ly/3f18WU9
#US Government Condemns the Beijing and the Hong Kong Authorities for the Continued Erosion of Freedoms in Hong Kong
#NedPrice #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
Source: US Department of the State #Oct21
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
#NedPrice #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
Source: US Department of the State #Oct21
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
#US Government Condemns the Beijing and the Hong Kong Authorities for the Continued Erosion of Freedoms in Hong Kong
On October 21, 2021, the Department of the State of the United States issued a press release, condemning the "continued erosion of human rights and fundamental freedoms" in Hong Kong.
The US government expressed concerns over the "increase in politically-motivated prosecutions, including through the National Security Law, targeting Hong Kong’s teachers, labor unions, lawyers, journalists, health care workers, student unions, and individual citizens."
Ned Price, the department spokeperson, called on "the Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to release those unjustly detained and cease their crackdown on peaceful civil society organizations," and urge Beijing to "abide by its treaty obligations in the Sino-British Joint Declaration."
Source: US Department of the State #Oct21
https://www.state.gov/on-the-continued-erosion-of-freedoms-in-hong-kong/
Related article
16 More District Councillors Disqualified over Oath-Taking; Total of 326 Pro-Dem Seats Lost
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31310
#NedPrice #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
On October 21, 2021, the Department of the State of the United States issued a press release, condemning the "continued erosion of human rights and fundamental freedoms" in Hong Kong.
The US government expressed concerns over the "increase in politically-motivated prosecutions, including through the National Security Law, targeting Hong Kong’s teachers, labor unions, lawyers, journalists, health care workers, student unions, and individual citizens."
Ned Price, the department spokeperson, called on "the Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to release those unjustly detained and cease their crackdown on peaceful civil society organizations," and urge Beijing to "abide by its treaty obligations in the Sino-British Joint Declaration."
Source: US Department of the State #Oct21
https://www.state.gov/on-the-continued-erosion-of-freedoms-in-hong-kong/
Related article
16 More District Councillors Disqualified over Oath-Taking; Total of 326 Pro-Dem Seats Lost
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31310
#NedPrice #SinoBritishJointDeclaration
United States Department of State
On the Continued Erosion of Freedoms in Hong Kong - United States Department of State
The United States remains seriously concerned at the continued erosion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including political participation, in Hong Kong.
US Terminates HKETO to Get Rid of China's Propaganda in the US
With the implementation of #NationalSecueityLaw (#NSL) in 2020, the US has announced that they no longer recognise Hong Kong's autonomy; One-Country-Two-Systems is also dead.
On 15 Dec, Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Chris Smith requested the US to re-assess the privilege and status of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (#HKETO) under the HKETO Certification Acts. They believe HKETO has become Hong Kong's propaganda and urge the US to completely remove them from the country.
Chris Smith described that China's dictator, #XiJinping, suppressed civil and political rights in Hong Kong with NSL, destroying the #BasicLaw and #SinoBritishJointDeclaration. He pointed out that the #USCongress had once published Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in 2020 to decline Hong Kong's autonomy. Therefore, US Law should reflect the fact. At the moment, HKETO is only China's propaganda with no reason for its existence inside the US border.
The HKETO Certificate Act requests the US President to prove whether their Offices can continue having the current privilege within 30 days after it has been passed. If the President opposes their existence, the government must revoke the offices' benefits, and they must cease operation in 6 months. Even if the President agrees on the privilege, Congress can still disapprove.
Executive Director of Hong Kong Democracy Council (#HKDC), Anna Kwok, mentioned the 3 locations of the HKETO offices in the US in Washington, New York and San Francisco on her Facebook Page. HKDC and other HongKonger organisations in the US found out the HKETO promoting "Hong Kong is back" earlier. They present a false picture of peace and prosperity, claiming Hong Kong as a free and democratic place.
#China #US #OneCountryTwoSystems #MarcoRubio #ChrisSmith #AnnaKwok
Source: Commons #Dec16
http://cmmns.co/ejN8w
With the implementation of #NationalSecueityLaw (#NSL) in 2020, the US has announced that they no longer recognise Hong Kong's autonomy; One-Country-Two-Systems is also dead.
On 15 Dec, Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Chris Smith requested the US to re-assess the privilege and status of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (#HKETO) under the HKETO Certification Acts. They believe HKETO has become Hong Kong's propaganda and urge the US to completely remove them from the country.
Chris Smith described that China's dictator, #XiJinping, suppressed civil and political rights in Hong Kong with NSL, destroying the #BasicLaw and #SinoBritishJointDeclaration. He pointed out that the #USCongress had once published Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in 2020 to decline Hong Kong's autonomy. Therefore, US Law should reflect the fact. At the moment, HKETO is only China's propaganda with no reason for its existence inside the US border.
The HKETO Certificate Act requests the US President to prove whether their Offices can continue having the current privilege within 30 days after it has been passed. If the President opposes their existence, the government must revoke the offices' benefits, and they must cease operation in 6 months. Even if the President agrees on the privilege, Congress can still disapprove.
Executive Director of Hong Kong Democracy Council (#HKDC), Anna Kwok, mentioned the 3 locations of the HKETO offices in the US in Washington, New York and San Francisco on her Facebook Page. HKDC and other HongKonger organisations in the US found out the HKETO promoting "Hong Kong is back" earlier. They present a false picture of peace and prosperity, claiming Hong Kong as a free and democratic place.
#China #US #OneCountryTwoSystems #MarcoRubio #ChrisSmith #AnnaKwok
Source: Commons #Dec16
http://cmmns.co/ejN8w
同文 Commons
一國兩制已死 美國國會議員提出法案 終結香港駐美經貿辦 將中共喉舌趕出美國 | 國際新聞 | 同文 Commons
自 2020 年香港實施《國安法》，美國宣布不再承認香港自治權，一國兩制形同死亡。昨 12 月 15 日，美國國會共和黨參議員 Marco Rubio 及共和黨眾議員 Chris Smith 宣布將共同提出《香港經濟貿易辦事處認證法案》（ Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office