To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish an international contact group to ensure that the government of China respects their (1) legal, and (2) moral, obligations towards Hong Kong; and which countries, if any, have been approached to form any such international contact group.
Answered on
25 June 2020
We have made clear to China, alongside our international partners, our concerns about the current situation in Hong Kong. China's decision to impose this legislation lies in direct conflict with its international obligations under the principles of the legally-binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration.
As the Foreign Secretary said in Parliament on 2 June, we want to build up a groundswell of those who share our commitment to international law. We believe this is the most effective means of getting China to live up to its obligations and responsibilities as a leading member of the international community. On 17 June, the Foreign Secretary issued a statement together with other G7 foreign ministers urging the Government of China to reconsider its decision to impose the legislation.
We are also working within international institutions. The UK delivered a statement at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, on 16 June, urging China to engage with Hong Kong's people, institutions, and judiciary to ensure it maintains Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms. The UK and the US raised Hong Kong at the UN Security Council on 28 May.