4-7-2023 (HONG KONG) The United States expressed strong condemnation on Monday towards Hong Kong authorities for offering bounties targeting democracy activists living abroad. The move has raised concerns over the potential threat to human rights and sets a dangerous precedent.
The Hong Kong police have announced rewards of HK$1 million (approximately US$127,600) for any information leading to the capture of eight prominent dissidents who are currently residing outside of Hong Kong. These activists are wanted for national security crimes, as defined by the recently implemented national security law.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller issued a statement denouncing the bounties, stating, “The United States condemns the Hong Kong Police Force’s issuance of an international bounty against the eight activists. The extraterritorial application of the Beijing-imposed National Security Law is a dangerous precedent that threatens the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people all over the world.” Miller further emphasized that China’s actions amount to “transnational repression efforts.”
The national security law, which has significantly reshaped Hong Kong society and diminished the distinction between the special autonomous region and the mainland, grants authorities the power to prosecute individuals across the globe for alleged national security offenses.
The accused activists are believed to have colluded with foreign entities to endanger national security, a crime that carries a potential life sentence. Human Rights Watch (HRW), headquartered in New York, also expressed their condemnation of the bounties, characterizing them as “baseless” and an extension of China’s “political intimidation campaign beyond its borders.”
Maya Wang, HRW’s associate Asia director, stated, “The Hong Kong government increasingly goes above and beyond to persecute peaceful dissent both within Hong Kong and abroad. Offering a cross-border bounty is a feeble attempt to intimidate activists and elected representatives outside Hong Kong who speak up for people’s rights against Beijing’s growing repression.”
The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force has obtained court approval to issue arrest warrants for eight individuals who have fled overseas and are accused of violating the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, also known as the Hong Kong National Security Law. These individuals are wanted for committing offenses that endanger national security, including “incitement to secession,” “subversion,” “incitement to subversion,” and “collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security.” The police have placed the individuals on the wanted list and are offering a reward of HK$1 million (S$172,000) for any information that leads to their arrest.
The eight individuals, identified as Yam Kevin, Yuen Gong-yi, Kwok Fung-yee, Kwok Wing-hang, Hui Chi-fung, Mung Siu-tat, Lau Cho-dik, and Law Kwun-chung, are scattered across different countries. Some of them, like politician Nathan Law, who has been granted asylum in the UK, currently reside in Britain, while others are living in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The imposition of the Hong Kong National Security Law by China three years ago, with its extraterritorial reach, has drawn international criticism. In response to the arrest warrants issued by Hong Kong police, the UK and other countries have voiced concerns about China’s interference in Hong Kong’s affairs and have called for the protection of pro-democracy activists living in exile.
The condemnation from the United States underscores its disapproval of China’s actions in Hong Kong and its firm stance on human rights. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller urged the Hong Kong government to immediately withdraw the bounty, respect the sovereignty of other countries, and cease the international enforcement of Beijing’s National Security Law. The United States’ strong response demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding human rights and opposing China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also expressed the UK’s commitment to defending the universal right to freedom of expression and standing up for those who are targeted. Cleverly strongly objected to China’s national security law in Hong Kong, including its extraterritorial reach, which violates the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration. He called on Beijing to repeal the national security law and for the Hong Kong authorities to end their targeting of individuals advocating for freedom and democracy.
The UK strongly objects to China’s National Security Law, which suppresses Hong Kong’s freedoms.
The decision to issue arrest warrants for 8 activists, some of whom are in the UK, is a further example of the authoritarian reach of China’s extraterritorial law.
— James Cleverly???????? (@JamesCleverly) July 3, 2023
In response to foreign interference, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Hong Kong office criticized the United States and the UK for meddling in Hong Kong’s legal and law enforcement affairs. The spokesperson firmly stated that China would not permit external forces to interfere in its internal matters and accused foreign politicians of exhibiting double standards and hypocrisy, pointing out their own countries’ national security legislation and extended jurisdiction.
