US, Canada, Australia, UK issue 'serious concern' over mass arrests in Hong Kong

Foreign Ministers of Cana, United States, Australia and United Kingdom have issued a joint statement condemning recent mass arrests of former lawmakers and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. foreign ministers expressed ir "serious concern" at mass arrests of 55 politicians and activists for subversion under National Security Law. foreign ministers said that National Security Law, imposed by Beijing last year, is a clear violation of Si-British Joint Declaration and undermines "One Country, Two Systems" framework.

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"We call on Hong Kong and Chinese central authorities to respect legally guaranteed rights and freedoms of people of Hong Kong without fear of arrest and detention. It is crucial that postponed Legislative Council elections in September proceed in a fair way that includes candidates representing a range of political opinions," foreign ministers from above-mentioned four nations said in a statement. 

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arrests

According to Associated Press, mass arrests were me on Wednesday over ufficial election primaries held last year to field eugh pro-democracy candidates to take control of Hong Kong legislative council, currently controlled by pro-Beijing lawmakers. Police raided homes of former lawmakers and activists, who h participated in primaries. house of jailed activist Joshua Wong, who is currently serving a sentence for organising and participating in a protest last year, was also raided by police. legislative elections that were scheduled to take place in September 2020 were called-off by Hong Kong election commission citing COVID-19 concerns. 

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pro-democracy election primaries were held last year in July despite certain politicians warning event could violate national security law. primaries were held to build support among voters and it mand to attract more than 6,00,000 eligible electors. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam h said that if primaries were aimed at resisting every policy initiative by city n it could be in violation of national security law.

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