To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by Cardinal Charles Bo of 14 May, concerning the threat to human rights and religious freedom in Hong Kong; and what discussions, if any, they have had with the Cardinal.
Answered on
30 May 2022
The Sino-British Joint Declaration is a legally binding treaty between the UK and China, and under this China committed to uphold Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and protect the rights and freedoms of its people. This explicitly includes freedom of expression and freedom of religious belief.
We continue to make clear to mainland Chinese and Hong Kong authorities our strong opposition to the National Security Law, which is being used to curtail freedoms, punish dissent and shrink the space for opposition, free press and civil society.
The FCDO meets with key stakeholders from all sides on a range of foreign policy issues.