The UK has condemned rewards offered by Hong Kong authorities for information leading to the arrest of pro-democracy activists residing in the UK, as stated in a joint statement by Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
The ministers described the Hong Kong police’s issuance of new arrest warrants and bounties for individuals in the UK as an example of transnational repression, noting that it encourages irresponsible behaviour on UK soil and harms Hong Kong’s international reputation.
On Friday, Hong Kong authorities announced rewards for information aiding the capture of 19 overseas pro-democracy activists accused of violating a national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020.
This marks the fourth such appeal by Hong Kong authorities, which has drawn strong criticism from Western countries, criticized as “interference” by Hong Kong and China. The UK ministers urged Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to stop deliberately targeting opposition voices in the UK.
Recently, a UK government proposal to reform extradition rules with Hong Kong raised concerns, with fears it could endanger certain Hong Kong residents by reopening extraditions suspended since 2020 after the national security law’s adoption.
Around 150,000 Hong Kong nationals have emigrated to the UK under a special visa scheme introduced in 2021. The ministers’ statement affirmed the UK government’s commitment to supporting the people of Hong Kong, including those who have made the UK their home.
