The bureau of Liberal International condemns the Chinese government’s intention to impose a so-called ‘national security law’ on Hong Kong – a precursor to direct rule from Beijing – in contradiction to the terms set out in the 1997 handover agreement.

To cut away, with the blunt knife of authoritarianism, the Hong Kong Legislative Council from decision-making processes is an unconscionable flouting of freedoms which are protected as part of Hong Kong’s special administrative region status. With this action China is engineering a political emergency and setting the stage for a human rights catastrophe.

Many of us recall standing shoulder to shoulder with pro-democracy heroes such as Martin Lee, Emily Lau, and the Umbrella Movement campaigners in Hong Kong in 2014, successfully protesting against the Chinese Communist Party’s interference in the island’s electoral system. In 2019 parliamentarians across our global membership urged China not to repeat Tiananmen-style crisis by introducing an extradition law.

Today’s actions are a further shot across the bows for those who believe in political freedoms and human rights. We applaud the steps taken by President of Taiwan, Tsai, Ing-wen, of LI member party DPP, for her courageous offer to welcome Hong Kongers fleeing China’s proposed clampdown. We call on governments around the world to demonstrate similar resolve in defending Hong Kong and resisting further aggression from China.

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