Britain condemns Hong Kong’s reward offers for pro-democracy activist suspects living in Britain

LONDON – Britain on July 25 condemned the Hong Kong authorities for offering payment in exchange for assisting in the arrest of pro-democracy activists living in Britain.

“The Hong Kong Police Force’s issuing of further arrest warrants and bounties on individuals living in the UK is another example of transnational repression,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a joint statement.

The Hong Kong authorities announced on July 25 that they are offering cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of 19 pro-democracy activists based abroad, accused of violating the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020.

The bounties range from about US$25,000 (S$32,000) to US$125,000, depending on the individual Hong Kong seeks.

This is the fourth time the Hong Kong authorities have made this type of appeal, which has already drawn strong criticism from Western countries, which China in turn has denounced as “interference”.

In their statement, Mr Lammy and Ms Cooper called on China to stop targeting opposition voices in Britain.

Around 150,000 Hong Kong nationals migrated to Britain under a special visa scheme introduced in 2021.

But a recent proposal by the British government to reform extradition rules has sparked serious concerns, with some fearing it could pave the way for a resumption of extraditions to Hong Kong, which have been suspended since the 2020 national security law was enacted.

In their statement, the two British ministers said “this Government will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong, including those who have made the UK their home. We take the protection of their rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously”. AFP