Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Hong Kong: National Security Law

Tuesday 13 October 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The national security law in Hong Kong has had a chilling effect on society and breaches the Sino-British joint declaration.
  • The UK has taken actions such as offering a new immigration path for British national overseas passport holders and suspending the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
  • The UK established a global human rights Magnitsky sanctions regime on 6 July and is reviewing it constantly.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP asked about the impact of the Chinese government's national security law in Hong Kong. He referenced international human rights obligations and the Sino-British joint declaration.

Question

What assessment he has made of the effect of the national security law on the people of Hong Kong?

Answer from Nigel Adams

We have been clear that the national security law has had a chilling effect on society and that it constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British joint declaration. It contains a range of measures that directly threaten the freedoms and rights protected by the joint declaration. In response to the national security law, the UK has offered a new immigration path for British nationals, suspended our extradition treaty and extended our arms embargo on mainland China to Hong Kong.

Answered
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Q2 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP raised concerns about the removal of books by pro-democracy figures from public libraries in Hong Kong. He also mentioned a statement made by Carrie Lam regarding 'weeding out' teachers promoting independence.

Question

Does my hon. Friend agree that the UK reserves the right to take further action to safeguard the rights of those in Hong Kong, especially if the human rights situation continues to deteriorate further?

Answer from Nigel Adams

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We have taken clear action in response to the national security law, including offering a new immigration path for British national overseas passport holders, suspending our extradition treaty and extending our arms embargo on mainland China to Hong Kong.

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Q3 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP questioned whether the national security law in Hong Kong has infringed on many people's rights and broken international law. He asked for an urgent review or outline of how to target those involved.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the national security law in Hong Kong has infringed the rights of many Hongkongers and broken international law by breaching the joint declaration? Will he now either urgently review his Magnitsky sanctions regime or outline how he intends to target those who instigate such appalling human rights abuses against this once proud British Crown colony?

Answer from Nigel Adams

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that. As he will know, on 6 July we established our global human rights Magnitsky sanctions regime, and it is under constant review. However, he will be aware that it is not appropriate to speculate on who may be designated under any future sanctions regime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on reviewing or outlining the actions against individuals involved in human rights abuses.

How: Not Appropriate To Speculate

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Q4 Stephen Kinnock Lab Aberafan Maesteg
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP criticised the Conservative government's handling of China and its impact on UK's ability to exert influence. He asked about citizenship for Hongkongers born after 1997, consular support for BNO passport holders detained in mainland China, and sanctioning officials.

Question

Successive Conservative Governments since 2010 have been naive and complacent in their dealings with the Chinese Government. The resulting combination of over-dependence on China-based supply chains and the breaking of important international alliances has diminished our ability to exert influence on Beijing. Yet, despite these failings, there is clearly more that the UK could be doing for the people of Hong Kong. Will the Minister specify what the Government plan to do regarding citizenship for Hongkongers born after 1997? What consular support can he provide to the four BNO passport holders who are now detained in mainland China after attempting to flee? Will he commit to sanctioning the senior mainland Chinese Communist party and Hong Kong Executive officials who have been committing human rights abuses?

Answer from Nigel Adams

We are working closely with the Home Office on our response for the BNOs, and there will be much more detail coming out in due course. With regard to the cases that the hon. Member raises, we have raised the cases of the people detained in Shenzhen with the Chinese authorities in Hong Kong.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specifics on citizenship plans and sanctions against officials.

How: Much More Detail Coming Out

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