Foreign Secretary statement on Hong Kong arrest warrants
The Foreign Secretary has today issued the following statement on the Hong Kong authorities’ decision to issue arrest warrants for six UK parliamentarians:
“The Hong Kong authorities’ decision to issue arrest warrants for six UK parliamentarians, including the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, is a further assault on freedom of speech and political opposition in Hong Kong.
These parliamentarians have been targeted simply for speaking out in support of democracy and human rights in Hong Kong. Their only “crime” has been to hold the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to account for their actions.
This is a clear attempt to intimidate and silence those who speak out against the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong. It is a further demonstration of the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities’ determination to dismantle the “one country, two systems” framework and suppress dissent.
The UK stands with the people of Hong Kong in their fight for democracy and freedom. We will continue to use every opportunity to call out the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities’ human rights abuses and to support the people of Hong Kong.”
The six parliamentarians targeted by the arrest warrants are:
- Tom Tugendhat, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee
- Iain Duncan Smith
- David Alton
- Luke de Pulford
- David Davis
- Tim Loughton
The arrest warrants were issued by the Hong Kong authorities on 24 December 2024. The parliamentarians have been accused of “colluding with foreign forces” to “interfere in the affairs of Hong Kong.”
The charges against the parliamentarians are politically motivated and baseless. The parliamentarians have simply been exercising their right to freedom of speech and expression.
The arrest warrants are a further example of the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities’ crackdown on dissent. In recent months, the authorities have arrested and imprisoned dozens of pro-democracy activists and journalists. They have also cracked down on freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression.
The UK government is deeply concerned about the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong. We call on the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to respect the “one country, two systems” framework and to uphold the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.
Foreign Secretary statement on Hong Kong arrest warrants
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
UK News and communications a new article on 2024-12-24 16:15 titled “Foreign Secretary statement on Hong Kong arrest warrants”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
62