Hong Kong Extradition Bill

Lord Wilson of Tillyorn Excerpts

Tuesday 11th June 2019 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Goldie]

I can assure the noble Lord that we do it frequently, robustly, through the normal diplomatic channels and at the United Nations.

[Lord Wilson of Tillyorn (CB)]

My Lords, clearly this draft legislation is causing a great deal of concern in Hong Kong and I am sure that the Hong Kong Government will wish to take account of that. That said, does the Minister agree that there is nothing in the draft legislation which offends against either the joint declaration between ourselves and China on the future of Hong Kong or the Basic Law, which is the constitution for Hong Kong? Does he further agree that the provisions do not in themselves offend against the independence of the judiciary in Hong Kong, which remains as important now as it ever was and always will be?

[Baroness Goldie]

That is an important observation. We do not believe that the proposed legislative changes in themselves are a breach of the joint declaration. However, there is a risk that future abuse of provisions made possible by that legislation could be. That is where the absence of specific safeguards on the face of the proposed legislation causes concern.