Hong Kong: Legislative Council

Debate between Lord McKenzie of Luton and Lord McNicol of West Kilbride

Thursday 12th November 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord McKenzie of Luton (Lab) [V]]

My Lords—[Inaudible.]

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord McNicol of West Kilbride) (Lab)]

Lord McKenzie, we are struggling to hear you. Could you lean in a little closer to the mic?

[Lord McKenzie of Luton (Lab) [V]]

I will; I am sorry. China’s dismissal of four members of the Legislative Council underlined the worst fears about the national security law and its impact on freedoms of expression and judicial independence in Hong Kong. The new law, which apparently applies to everyone everywhere in the world, is generating alarm among universities with students who will return to Hong Kong at some stage and could face the risk of arrest. It makes a nonsense of “one country, two systems”. What representations are being made to the Chinese ambassador about the disqualification of the four pro-democracy lawmakers? What progress is being made in identifying senior Chinese Government officials who have committed serious human rights abuses?