Hong Kong

The special administrative region of Hong Kong is a focal point of major concern for Democracy. In a short period of time, sweeping legislative changes through the National Security Law imposed by China have undermined all remaining democratic freedoms in Hong Kong. With the pretext of national security, freedom of speech is now non-existent, citizens are unable to demonstrate, pro-democracy candidates are unable to run for office, hold rallies and many have been jailed or live in fear of imprisonment. 

China has back-tracked on its promise stated on the Sino-British Joint Declaration to protect democracy on the special administrative region until 2047. 

Due to the rapidity of the changes, a significant number of people fear for their safety and have sought exile abroad, mostly in the UK. Those who remain in Hong Kong are exposed to punishment for their political views or if they exercise the freedoms that they enjoyed only a few years ago. 

We advocate to repeal the national security law in Hong Kong and for the restoration of democracy along the lines of the Joint Declaration and for this arrangement to be extended indefinitely beyond 2047.