Today China has chosen to surrender its international obligations by demolishing the ‘one-country-two-systems’ firewall. On the day that Hong Kong people are set to celebrate the twenty-third anniversary of the Sino-British handover agreement – a treaty to safeguard specific civil and political rights until 2047 – the bureau of Liberal International stands in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong as China enforces its so-called national security law.

Despite assurances from Chief Executive Carrie Lam to the United Nations that human rights will be protected, we note with alarm that the first arrests of peaceful protestors under the new law have already been made. The voluntary, pre-emptive disbanding of pro-democracy groups, amid fear of severe legal repercussions, is warning that human rights across the Special Administrative Region are now threatened like never before.

Liberal International will work with our parties, parliamentarians, and partners to defend the democratic rights of the Hong Kong people. While we welcome the news that Taiwan and the United Kingdom have taken steps to protect groups of Hong Kong citizens the response must be global and unwavering.