UK plans to restart extraditions to Hong Kong, sparking fears among activists
UK security minister Dan Jarvis tells Post that law change is simply a move to complete ‘the severing of ties’ between the extradition systems
The UK government is planning to reinstate some form of extradition cooperation with Hong Kong on a “case-by-case basis” after suspending arrangements five years ago, triggering fears that activists seeking refuge in Britain could be sent back to the city.
But UK security minister Dan Jarvis told the Post on Friday that the legislation was simply a move to complete “the severing of ties” between the extradition systems of the two jurisdictions and said the British government remained committed to upholding the safety of Hongkongers in the country.
The Hong Kong government said it had suspended its agreement with the UK in accordance with instructions from the central government and that its position remained “unchanged” and would “handle relevant matters appropriately”.
The UK’s plan was revealed on Thursday by shadow national security and safeguarding minister Alicia Kearns, who shared on social media a letter from Jarvis to shadow home secretary Chris Philp.
In the letter, Jarvis communicated plans to change the country’s 2003 Extradition Act.
Jarvis said the amendments, introduced in the House of Commons on July 17, would remove Hong Kong from the act, so the UK government could work with the city on a “case-by-case, ad hoc basis”.