[ad_1]
HONG KONG: Ireland suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in the wake of national security legislation that Beijing imposed on the former British colony in June.
China implemented the comprehensive legislation despite protests from the Hong Kong people, Western nations and international human rights groups, paving the way for a more authoritarian path for the global financial center.
The suspension follows a similar move from Finland this month, as well as Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Britain shortly after the law was enacted. US President Donald Trump ended preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong.
Speaking to the Irish Parliament this week, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the law, which punishes what Beijing broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison, had been passed without any meaningful query.
“This decision … clearly points out Ireland’s concerns regarding the rule of law in Hong Kong and the erosion of the judicial independence promised under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle,” Coveney said, adding that Ireland will continue to raise concerns. with Beijing.
China kept all details of the bill secret until shortly before its passage, and even Beijing-backed Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said she was not aware of it, though she said most people had no motive. to worry.
Beijing says the law is needed to deal with the unrest that followed last year’s anti-government protests that plunged the city into its biggest crisis in decades.
