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China’s national security laws condemned amid high-profile arrest
Amid reports a high-profile media tycoon has been arrested over a suspected collusion with foreign forces, foreign ministers from across the world have communicated “grave disappointment” in China’s new and controversial national security laws.
Naomi Neilson
Prominent democracy advocate and media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been arrested under the new national security laws for suspected foreign collusion in what is being referred to as the “highest-profile arrest yet” under the contentious legislation.
In a joint statement – signed by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US – foreign ministers from across the world have yet again passed on criticism on the laws: “We express deep concern at Beijing’s imposition of the new national security law, which is eroding the Hong Kong people’s fundamental rights.”
Beijing promised autonomy and freedoms under “[one country, two systems] principle to the Hong Kong people in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, a UN registered treaty, and must honour its commitments,” the foreign ministers wrote.
The ministers, including Australia’s Marise Payne, wrote that they were concerned by the Hong Kong government’s “unjust disqualification” of candidates and postponement of the Legislative Council elections. They said the moves “undermined the democratic process” that is fundamental to stability and prosperity.
“We urge the Hong Kong government to hold the elections as soon as possible,” the foreign ministers wrote.
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
