Government supports withdrawing British judges from Hong Kong’s court of final appeal

The government has this morning detailed its support for the withdrawal of serving UK judges from the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.

The move follows discussions between the Foreign Secretary, the Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor and the President of the Supreme Court. Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, claims that British judges sitting on Hong Kong’s leading court, risks legitimising oppression.

The move follows the imposition of the National Security Law in 2020 through which China is accused of undermining the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. These rights and freedoms were previously set out in the Joint Declaration agreed between the UK and China in 1984. China’s actions include restrictions on freedom of expression, the stifling of opposition voices, and the criminalising of dissent.

The UK Supreme Court has been assessing the situation in Hong Kong as cases have proceeded through the courts, and in light of the effect of the 2020 law, feels it is increasingly untenable for the UK Government to endorse UK serving judges sitting on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal.

Commenting on the decision, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “We have seen a systematic erosion of liberty and democracy in Hong Kong. Since the National Security Law was imposed, authorities have cracked down on free speech, the free press and free association”.

The move has been welcomed by the former Conservative Party leader, Iain Duncan-Smith who praised the campaign on the issue that has been led by the Labour MP, Siobhain McDonagh.  Ms McDonagh has claimed that the Hong Kong legal system has been ‘unquestionably compromised’ by the National Security Law.