The UK government has strongly criticized a recent cash incentive program from Hong Kong authorities targeting pro-democracy activists residing in Britain. The latest offer of financial rewards, reaching up to $125,000, has sparked allegations of transnational repression.
UK Slams Hong Kong's Reward Scheme for Pro-Democracy Activists
UK Slams Hong Kong's Reward Scheme for Pro-Democracy Activists
The British government denounces Hong Kong's financial incentives for arresting activists abroad.
The UK has condemned Hong Kong's latest financial incentive program aimed at capturing pro-democracy activists living abroad, articulating that this action signifies "another example of transnational repression." The statement issued by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the danger posed by these bounties, which range from $25,000 to $125,000 for information leading to the arrest of 19 identified individuals accused of breaching Beijing's national security law.
Among those named in the bounty announcement are pro-democracy figures like Nathan Law, a former lawmaker, and social media activists such as Choi Ming-da and Fok Ka-chi, known for their channel "Tuesdayroad." The Hong Kong police's offers have garnered stern backlash, with critics asserting that such rewards jeopardize the safety of dissidents even in distant lands.
This is not the first occurrence of this nature; previous rounds of cash rewards were issued in mid-2023, intensifying scrutiny over the relationship between the UK and the Hong Kong authorities. Law has declared his life has become riskier since the bounty was placed, and concerns are increasing over the implications for other activists in the diaspora.
Amidst these developments, the UK has facilitated a special visa scheme since 2021, enabling around 150,000 Hong Kong residents to migrate to the UK, reaffirming its commitment to provide refuge and preserve the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong's pro-democracy advocates.
Lammy and Cooper highlighted the UK government’s resolve to sever ties with the Hong Kong extradition systems, signaling a steadfast stance in support of human rights and safety legislation for individuals under threat for their political beliefs. This ongoing situation continues to shape the discourse surrounding democracy, human rights, and international relations in the region.
Who are the jailed activists in Hong Kong's largest national security trial? Hong Kong continues to grapple with its legacy of protest as dissent echoes through its streets, defining the current political climate.
Among those named in the bounty announcement are pro-democracy figures like Nathan Law, a former lawmaker, and social media activists such as Choi Ming-da and Fok Ka-chi, known for their channel "Tuesdayroad." The Hong Kong police's offers have garnered stern backlash, with critics asserting that such rewards jeopardize the safety of dissidents even in distant lands.
This is not the first occurrence of this nature; previous rounds of cash rewards were issued in mid-2023, intensifying scrutiny over the relationship between the UK and the Hong Kong authorities. Law has declared his life has become riskier since the bounty was placed, and concerns are increasing over the implications for other activists in the diaspora.
Amidst these developments, the UK has facilitated a special visa scheme since 2021, enabling around 150,000 Hong Kong residents to migrate to the UK, reaffirming its commitment to provide refuge and preserve the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong's pro-democracy advocates.
Lammy and Cooper highlighted the UK government’s resolve to sever ties with the Hong Kong extradition systems, signaling a steadfast stance in support of human rights and safety legislation for individuals under threat for their political beliefs. This ongoing situation continues to shape the discourse surrounding democracy, human rights, and international relations in the region.
Who are the jailed activists in Hong Kong's largest national security trial? Hong Kong continues to grapple with its legacy of protest as dissent echoes through its streets, defining the current political climate.
