Baroness Chapman of Darlington, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL2535):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government whether the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) intends to raise issues relating to human rights in Hong Kong, including the forthcoming sentencing of 45 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, convicted under National Security Law, the case of political prisoners including Joshua Wong, Gwyneth Ho, Jimmy Lai and Owen Chow, and transnational repression, during her visit to Hong Kong. (HL2535)
Tabled on: 14 November 2024
Answer:
Baroness Chapman of Darlington:
The Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West MP visited Hong Kong for a two-day programme of engagements. Minister West met with stakeholders across the Hong Kong Government, the business community and the public to discuss areas of co-operation and challenge on areas of contention.
In her engagements with Hong Kong Government officials, the Minister flagged concerns over the erosion of Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms, including under the National Security Law.
Date and time of answer: 28 Nov 2024 at 13:44.
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL2534):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what impact they expect the meeting between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) and Hong Kong’s Convenor of the Executive Council to have; and what discussions they have had, if any, with Hong Kong’s Convenor of the Executive Council regarding human rights violations in Hong Kong. (HL2534)
Tabled on: 14 November 2024
Answer:
Baroness Chapman of Darlington:
Minister West met with Regina Ip on 31 October in an official capacity. Human rights were raised as part of the discussion.
The UK will continue to speak often and candidly with Hong Kong authorities across both areas of contention as well as areas for cooperation. Engagement with representatives of Hong Kong and China is pragmatic and necessary to support UK interests.
Date and time of answer: 28 Nov 2024 at 13:43.
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| @CFHK Foundation Applauds European Parliament Resolution Calling for Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Prisoners’ Freedom |
| Today (November 28th), the European Parliament adopted an urgent resolution condemning the sentencing of the Hong Kong 45 and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all pro-democracy activists, including Jimmy Lai. The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation applauds the Members of the European Parliament’s five major political groupings for voting by an overwhelming majority in favour of the non-binding joint motion, which also urged the Hong Kong government to repeal the draconian National Security Law. The vote – 473 in favour, 23 against with 98 abstentions – indicates that the new parliament, reconstituted following elections in June, considers Hong Kong a vital issue. The non-binding resolution states that Jimmy Lai is being tried on “trumped up” charges, notes his advanced age, his difficult prison conditions, his serious health conditions, the breach of his religious rights by the denial of Communion, and the fact that he has been denied his choice of legal representation. It calls for Jimmy Lai’s immediate and unconditional release and urges European Institutions and European Union (EU) Member States to warn China that its actions in Hong Kong will have consequences for EU-China relations. The text also raises the cases of Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, editors at the now-defunct Stand News, who were sentenced to jail in September on bogus sedition charges after publishing articles on the crackdown on civil liberties. “Neither Jimmy Lai nor the 45 pro-democracy activists belong in jail – they represent the best of Hong Kong, its spirit, freedom and love of democracy,” Miriam Lexmann MEP said during the resolution’s debate in Strasbourg, France. “The evasion of EU sanctions through Hong Kong shows why the city must matter to us.” The below is a statement from Mark Sabah, UK and EU Director at the CFHK Foundation: “The will of the European Parliament is clear – Beijing must face the consequences of its trashing of civil liberties in Hong Kong. It’s now up to the European Commission and other institutions to join the dots and sanction Hong Kong’s officials for their role in persecuting pro-democracy activists. “Miriam Lexmann is right to call attention to sanctions evasion in Hong Kong. This is not just a matter for politicians but should also be of concern to European companies and financial firms doing business in the city.” |
