Hong Kong: Legislative Council

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

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?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)]

My Lords, the noble Lord is correct. We have summoned the Chinese ambassador to register our deep concern on this issue. The noble Lord talked about all members of the Legislative Council; four members were suspended and removed while they were in the Chamber. Others have left the council in solidarity.

On identification, the noble Lord was, I think, alluding to global human rights sanctions. As I have said before, we cannot speculate on future sanctions that we may apply through that regime. Nevertheless, since the national security laws initiated the continuing suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong, we have aired—and continue to air—our deep concerns.