Hong Kong suspends extradition treaty with France and Germany

On August 12,  Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government anunced in a statement that it was suspending extradition agreement with Germany and France. decision came in accordance with central government’s orders. Germany and France “politicized juridical cooperation” after Germany scrapped Surrender of Fugitive Offenders (SFO) agreement and France halted ratifying extradition treaty, Hong Kong government said.  

Earlier, after China imposed controversial national security law in Hong Kong, French government decided t to ratify an extradition agreement. French Foreign Ministry's spokesperson said in a written statement “in light of latest developments, France won't proceed with ratification” of 2017 extradition agreement with Hong Kong “as it stands.” Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, on August 2 issued a statement, saying, Germany was suspending extradition agreement due to its postponement of elections. Furrmore, China responded, saying, that it expresses ‘strong indignation’ and ‘firm opposition’ against European nations’ unthoughtful decision in an official statement.  

Read: Canada Suspends Extradition Treaty With Hong Kong

Read: Japan Seeks Extradition Of Americans Accused In Ghosn Escape

Citing Germany’s and France’s suspension of treaty as “unilateral”,  HKSAR said in statement, “Such moves are open interference in China's internal affairs and a violation of international law and basic rms governing international relations.” Furr, it strongly condemned move, calling it end of era of “juridical cooperation”. Last month, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States suspended extradition treaty with Hong Kong over China’s reluctance in “listening to international community and reversing its course”, as Canada’s Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said in a conference.

China needs to 're-evaluate' actions

While Canada asked China to “re-evaluate” its actions, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab accused Beijing government of a serious breach of Si-British Joint Declaration under which U.K. returned control of Hong Kong to China in 1997. However, China’s ambassador to Britain, Liu Xiaoming, described move as “gross interference” in Chinese affairs. In a separate statement, China had warned nations of “consequences”.  

Read: UK Judge Warns Assange On US Extradition Hearing Attendance

Read: Extradition Hearings For Huawei CFO To Run Into Next Year

(With ncy Inputs)

(Im Courtesy: AP)