We, the co-signed, write to express major concerns about the unilateral introduction of national security legislation by Beijing in Hong Kong.
This is a comprehensive assault on the city's autonomy, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. The integrity of one-country, two-systems hangs by a thread.
The decision has been driven by Beijing's paranoia about foreign interference in Hong Kong. But it is the genuine grievances of Hong Kongers driving protests. Draconian laws will only escalate the situation further, jeopardising Hong Kong’s future as an open international city.
If the international community cannot trust Beijing to keep its word in Hong Kong, people will be reluctant to take its word on other matters. Sympathetic governments must unite to say that this flagrant breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration cannot be tolerated.
Yours Sincerely,
Andrew Selous