Call to end extradition deals between Commonwealth countries and Hong Kong

Jonathan Ames
, Legal Editor
The Times
Protesters gather on Victoria Harbour pier on June 28, 2019, on the eve of China automatically taking control under its 1994 agreement with Britain
Protesters gather on Victoria Harbour pier on June 28, 2019, on the eve of China automatically taking control under its 1994 agreement with Britain
GETTY IMAGES
Jonathan Ames
, Legal Editor
The Times

British ministers should press Commonwealth countries to ditch extradition agreements with Hong Kong, lawyers have said amid fears that Beijing will pursue dissidents abroad.

India, South Africa and Singapore are on a list of countries highlighted by the International Bar Association as maintaining extradition arrangements with the former British colony.

The association noted that the UK suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong two years ago and that other Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada followed suit, as did the US and Germany.

Benedict Rogers, a human rights activist and British citizen, was told by the Hong Kong authorities that he had violated its draconian national security law; he could face a year in prison if convicted
Benedict Rogers, a human rights activist and British citizen, was told by the Hong Kong authorities that he had violated its draconian national security law; he could face a year in prison if convicted
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However, prominent members of the Commonwealth, including Malaysia and Singapore in east Asia, have not suspended extradition treaties in addition to other countries such as South Korea, the Philippines and the Czech Republic.

Legal experts called on Whitehall to