UK parliamentary report expresses concern over British judges’ continuing presence in Hong Kong’s top court
- Such participation could lead the UK government to be seen as supporting system that ‘is undermining the rule of law’, it says
- Report also urges London to grant full citizenship to Hongkongers with BNO passports
A British parliamentary report has expressed concern that the continuing participation of British judges in Hong Kong’s top court could lead Britain to “inadvertently appear complicit in supporting and participating in a system that is undermining the rule of law”.
It recommended that the British government coordinate with other Commonwealth jurisdictions for a response.
In its latest report, the House of Commons’ foreign affairs committee also said it was worried about the rule of law being undermined by the “dangerous erosion” of the “one country, two systems” principle by Beijing and thus, Hong Kong’s autonomy.
It urged the UK government to grant full citizenship to the tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents who hold a British National (Overseas) passport – a document issued to those born in the city during the colonial era.
The report, titled “A cautious embrace: defending democracy in an age of autocracies”, was published on Monday, a day before parliament was dissolved for Britain’s snap general election on December 12.
The committee said it was concerned about Hong Kong’s autonomy, especially the rule of law, amid the ongoing social unrest, sparked by the city’s now-withdrawn extradition bill.
