Beijing weighs in on Hong Kong extradition plan, urging doubters to respect the legal process, after Law Society calls for alternatives
- China says concerns of Hongkongers and foreigners have been noted but urges respect for the local legislative process
- Hong Kong Law Society says plan to consider extradition on a case-by-case basis could leave suspects exposed to repressive countries
Beijing has weighed in on the row over a Hong Kong government proposal to allow the transfer of fugitives to jurisdictions not covered by an extradition deal, saying foreign countries expressing concerns should respect the city’s rule of law and legislative process.
The central government broke its silence on the issue on Saturday after the Post learned that the city’s Law Society had urged Hong Kong officials to explore alternatives to the proposal.
A former senior Hong Kong prosecutor warned the proposed case-by-case approach would effectively open up the city to repressive countries such as Iran.
The Security Bureau last month proposed an amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and Mutual Legal Assistance Ordinance, which would allow for the transfer of fugitives to Taiwan, Macau, mainland China or any jurisdiction Hong Kong does not have an agreement with. Officials said the move was justified to plug a loophole exposed by a recent homicide case in Taiwan.
The proposal has sparked concerns from the European Union, Hong Kong’s American Chamber of Commerce, the local business community and the pro-democracy camp, with some warning it would damage the city’s reputation as a “secure haven for international business”.