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Hong Kong Pro-democracy Activists
06 July 2023
Lead MP
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Anne-Marie Trevelyan raised concerns about hong kong pro-democracy activists in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Foreign Secretary has expressed the UK's strong objection to China's national security law imposed on Hong Kong, which undermines the liberties enshrined in the Sino-British joint declaration and the Basic Law. The UK will not tolerate attempts by Chinese authorities to intimidate individuals in the UK and will continue to defend freedom of expression. In response to Beijing's actions, the Government have suspended the extradition agreement with Hong Kong indefinitely, introduced a bespoke immigration route for holders of British National (Overseas) status and their immediate family members, and provided support for those who seek refuge from China’s repression. The UK remains committed to acting as a convening power with international partners to stand up for the people of Hong Kong.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
Finn Lau, Christopher Mung, and Nathan Law are three individuals who fled Hong Kong due to Chinese repression. They now seek refuge in the UK but feel unsafe. The Government needs more than just condemnation; it must ensure their safety, confirm that bounty hunting is illegal in the UK, consider the resignation of UK judges on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, reconsider the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Beijing, and take meaningful action against those involved in warrants and repression.
Minister reply
We will continue to protect individuals' freedom of speech here in the UK. Discussions are ongoing regarding their safety and security arrangements, but I am unable to provide further details at this time due to operational sensitivities.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
The bounties placed on the heads of those fleeing Chinese repression are a violation of international law. Given that three people seeking refuge in the UK have now had bounties put on their heads, has the Foreign Secretary or my right hon. Friend the Minister called in the Chinese ambassador this week?
Minister reply
We must protect individuals' freedom of expression here in the UK and speak regularly with Chinese colleagues to raise these issues, including before this bounty was raised.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Question
West congratulates the hon. Member for Oxford West and Abingdon on bringing forward an important question about arrest warrants issued by Hong Kong under the national security law, expressing concern over Beijing's attempts to intimidate those who have fled repression in Hong Kong, praising UK’s role in welcoming them but urging for more action such as reassessing sanctions on leading members of the Hong Kong Government and growing a backbone against Chinese state repression.
Minister reply
Trevelyan states that the House agrees intolerable actions will not be tolerated, with Home Office officials working closely to ensure the UK is safe for those from Hong Kong. She mentions 160,000 out of 3 million eligible have taken up BNO route and highlights a review by the defending democracy taskforce on transnational repression.
Question
Loughton criticises sitting down with Liu Jianchao, the head of China’s international liaison department, which he deems unhelpful. He asks for real sanctions and measures to deter Chinese actions.
Minister reply
Trevelyan explains that she believes engaging is important to maintain conversations where parties can be frank. She mentions declaring national security law as a breach and continuing to raise issues.
Question
Whitford raises concerns about the safety of pro-democracy activists living in the UK, asking how they will be protected against extraterritorial warrants with bounties.
Minister reply
Trevelyan states that she and colleagues ensure freedom of expression for those on British soil. She discusses ongoing operational matters with the FCDO and Home Office.
Question
McCartney asks if HMRC details about new bank accounts opened by Chinese people and Hongkongers in the UK are being passed to the Chinese Government as part of anti-money laundering efforts, asking for measures against this loophole.
Minister reply
Trevelyan agrees to discuss the matter with McCartney later.
Question
Sheerman calls for tougher sanctions on China due to its influence and actions in the UK and Europe, questioning when the Government will act.
Minister reply
Trevelyan states that discussing potential future sanctions could reduce their impact.
Question
Chishti asks if the Minister will instruct the sanctions team to consider whether criteria for further sanctions have been met, given real threats to human rights.
Minister reply
Trevelyan agrees to take Chishti’s comments away but states that discussing new sanctions could reduce their impact.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
Hobhouse asks about discussions with the US and Australia on coordinating an Interpol early warning system to protect pro-democracy activists overseas.
Minister reply
Trevelyan states that officials have regular conversations with allies, including working with Interpol.
Question
Bruce highlights Nathan Law’s situation and asks what the UK is doing to defend freedoms of pro-democracy activists and call out China.
Minister reply
Trevelyan praises Bruce's support, mentioning suspended extradition agreements with 13 countries including Czech Republic, Portugal, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and India.
Kevin Brennan
Lab
Cardiff West
Question
My constituent Carlos Auyeung has written to me about significant distress and fear in the Hongkonger community caused by the exerting of extraterritorial enforcement on British soil, saying that it requires immediate attention and action. I listened carefully to the Minister’s responses to my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Catherine West) and the Chair of the Select Committee, the hon. Member for Rutland and Melton (Alicia Kearns), both of whom asked her to call representatives of the Chinese Embassy in London into the Foreign Office to dress them down about the matter. She just did not answer their question. Will she answer it now, so that the House can be better informed?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary has many meetings during the week. I will take away that question, and I am sure that Foreign Office Ministers will have heard of the importance of these matters. We will continue our ongoing discussions, but we will also ensure that these concerns, which, rightly, are so clearly heard, are included in our annual human rights report, which will be published—I want to say “next week”, but I think the correct term is “imminently”, just in case the printers do not produce it on time—and in which China will, sadly, feature.
Andy Carter
Lab
Warrington South
Question
Last Thursday I had the privilege of meeting members of Hong Kong Watch, including representatives of the 3,000 BNOs who have recently come to settle in Warrington. What was very plain was the fear that they felt for the family members, many of them elderly, whom they had left behind in Hong Kong. They are now unable to return to see those family members. They requested that I ask the Minister to assure the House that she will continue to push for progress on human rights in China and particularly in Hong Kong, including the right to freedom of expression. Can she send that message to members of the BNO community in Warrington?
Minister reply
It is heartening to know that Members on both sides of the House are so closely involved with the BNOs who are coming to the UK to make their new homes here, and I thank my hon. Friend for his commitment to that. I can assure him that the Government will continue to make clear our disagreement with—in fact, our shocked objection to—the national security law and the impact it is having on freedoms.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
Dewsbury
Question
This clearly constitutes a dangerous escalation of Beijing’s global war on dissent. Can the Minister confirm that it is illegal to issue and pursue bounties in the UK and that the UK Government will be actively seeking the prosecution of anyone who aims to take them up, and can she tell us what the UK Government’s thinking is in relation to financial sanctions targeting those in government in Hong Kong, about which she has been less than clear during this session? I find it concerning that she has also been less than clear about her intentions in respect of meeting officials and conveying the deep unhappiness of Members about this matter, and our significant concern for Hongkongers in the UK.
Minister reply
I can of course confirm that extranational bounties have no validity here. We have no extradition treaty with Hong Kong, because we have suspended it indefinitely, so there is no reach to those people here. Any attempt by a foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated. As I have said, the Security Minister is working through the defending democracy taskforce to review our approach, and to ensure that we have all the robust tools that we need to protect those who are here.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Question
Last week I met a constituent who was deeply concerned about the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong. Will the Minister assure me, and the House, that the UK will always defend the universal right to freedom of expression, and stand up for those who are targeted in Hong Kong and around the world by China?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is entirely right, and I give him that absolute assurance. I hope that when the human rights report is published shortly, all those who wish to read it will see clearly just how seriously the UK takes its obligations.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Bounties for people are the stuff of films, not the stuff of real life in this United Kingdom. However, the despicable behaviour of the Chinese Communist party towards those who dare to dissent from its thinking and to request freedom and liberty has become the norm. The world is united alongside those from Hong Kong who espouse and wish to enjoy freedom of expression. What further steps can the House, our Government and our Secretary of State take to support those Hongkongers who live in the United Kingdom? We have a moral obligation to speak up for them and not to be silent.
Minister reply
We continue to call on Beijing to remove the national security law and, indeed, on the Hong Kong authorities to end their targeting of those who stand up for freedom and democracy in the country. The terrible step this week will simply ensure that we continue to make it clear categorically, through our engagement in the UK and across our international partnerships, that we all stand for freedom of speech and expression for all citizens across Hong Kong.
Shadow Comment
Layla Moran
Shadow Comment
Finn Lau, Christopher Mung, and Nathan Law are brave individuals who fled China's repression in Hong Kong. They have sought refuge in the UK but feel unsafe due to reported secret police stations and incidents like those seen in Southampton and Manchester. The Government's condemnation is not enough; action is needed, including ensuring these individuals' safety by arranging a meeting with the Foreign Secretary, confirming that bounty hunting is illegal in the UK and will be prosecuted, considering the resignation of UK judges on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, reconsidering the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Beijing, and taking meaningful action against those involved in warrants and repression. The Liberal Democrats urge the Government to act decisively.
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