Andrew Rosindell MP: 180 years after its founding, Britain must remember its duty to Hong Kong
This week, Hong Kong celebrates the 180th anniversary of its legal autonomy from Beijing. This autonomy has enabled Hong Kong to flourish as a unique beacon of hope, commerce and liberal globalisation in the East.
For almost two centuries, the UK has nurtured its important relationship with Hong Kong. When the UK signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984, the UK swore by its moral, legal and historical duty to protect the autonomy that defines this unique region. Yet, over the past few years, we have demonstrably failed to uphold this duty.
In early 2019, the eyes of the world fell on Hongkongers when they protested and demonstrated to protect their basic rights and freedoms, which are under increasing threat. The relentless bravery showcased by Hongkongers inspired the world. Sadly, their revolutionary calls for freedom were met with Beijing’s iron fist, which aims to quash the freedom movement by any means necessary.
For years, Hongkongers have suffered the consequences. 2020 and 2021 have not only been dominated by coronavirus for Hongkongers, but also the perpetration of gross human rights abuses, torture, harassment, detainment and mass arrests at the hands of the authorities who are meant to keep them safe. This rampant police brutality has sent shockwaves around the world.
Hongkongers need our support now more than ever before. We cannot let their inspiring calls for freedom fall on deaf ears. The UK has a duty to stand with Hong Kong.
To mark this 180th anniversary, I have tabled a parliamentary motion which has been signed by cross-party MPs including Caroline Lucas MP and Layla Moran MP. Through this motion, we collectively call upon the UK government to act now.
Hongkongers should not have to fight for democracy alone. They deserve better. They deserve active and persistent allies. The UK has a responsibility to act as such by imposing Magnitsky-style sanctions onto senior officials in Hong Kong who are responsible for perpetrating gross human rights abuses against pro-democracy Hongkongers.
Magnitsky-style sanctions will help to deter future abuse from occurring against Hongkongers. They hold individuals to account, irrespective of whether they falsely claim to be a mere small cog in Beijing’s tyrannical machine. Sanctions also send an unwavering and unambiguous message to Beijing: the UK will defend the rights and freedoms of Hongkongers.
The UK will also launch its British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa scheme on 31st January, enabling Hongkongers to flee to the UK for their safety. This scheme is a wonderful example of the UK’s power to act as a force of good in the world and as a fierce defender of those who believe in democracy.
You just have to look at Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative to understand how urgently the UK must act in support of Hong Kong. The predatory nature of this economic initiative reflects the danger that Beijing poses to the world and the mercilessness of its attitude towards Hongkongers. In comparison, the UK’s aid budget can be directly targeted where our money is most needed, where it can do the most good and where it can reinforce our values as a truly Global Britain.
We must now impose sanctions directly on senior Hong Kong officials who are perpetrating acts to undermine the liberties and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong that were meant to be enshrined for at least fifty years, from the day Hong Kong ceased to be one of Her Majesty’s Crown Colonies. That is the very least we can do to show our solidarity with that these brave Hongkongers deserve. There is no better way for the UK to commemorate the birth of Hong Kong than by renewing our commitment to being a beacon of liberty.
Andrew Rosindell MP is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Romford and Member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.
